Photo Credit 2015 AnnaElizabethPhotography
Previously, I’ve talked about perspective, in respect to artwork. Art is up to the eyes of the beholder and everyone can have a different opinion or interpretation of that piece of art. Growing on that, perspective can be a philosophical idea that one can live by and apply to everyday situations. Almost like a lifestyle that I believe to be really important in many social interactions. Something that I live by is the phrase, “There’s always another side to every story”. Jumping to conclusions is a dangerous action that we as humans tend to do very often. When we open our eyes and mind to the idea that there is another side to the story, we can clear up any misunderstandings or verify whether you are right or wrong in a situation. This ties in to perspective, as we each possess this incredible gift called reason — the ability to choose how we see things, how we interpret the people and events that make up our lives. In respect to psychology, these perspectives and opinions that we create in our minds affect our actions. In a common argument, there are differing views and opinions and that can lead to a fight between the two parties. But what if we stop to think about why or how the other party thinks that way? When we stop to think about that, this can lead to less conflict and/or even lead to compromise. Resolve to see things differently. And perhaps, resolve to see different things.
What’s more, with the beauty of one’s point of view, is that there is new knowledge that can be spread to others. A prime example of what I mean is brainstorming. When a group brainstorms, each member contributes his or her own ideas to each other, which can help change their opinion, or even expand and improve it. Sharing ideas with others is how we learn. It’s how we grow as a person and expand our imagination.
Perspective can also be a power. For example, society’s view on things being heavily influential. I like to think of what I’m trying to say as leader vs. follower. When one is caught under the influence of society, they are limited to specific regulations as a follower. The thought that I can or cannot do something because society either supports or opposes it. The leader, however, drifts away from society’s perspective/view of things and follows his or her own goals, whether society likes it or not. His or her own outlook on things allows the person to be free from society’s chains and take life into their own hands. The idea that “the world is yours” is a powerful thought that again, all boils down to the philosophy of perspective. This is how innovators or influencers are created. New creations built because the person had trust in themselves and ignored any negative criticism given to them by others.
Another form of perspective that applies to everyone is the case of optimism and pessimism. One either has a positive outlook and a negative outlook in life. Hence the expression, “glass half full or half empty”. Personally, I lean toward the optimistic side of the spectrum, or the glass half full side. I find that looking at the positives in life is how we as humans improve and move on in life. Dwelling on the negatives only wastes time and energy. This, however, does not mean pessimism is worse. Pessimism can be a motivator, as some people harness their negative emotions to do better. Overall, both views on life are motivators or helpers for the person that believes in it.
Perspective is the thing that in the face of unwanted circumstances allows us to say, “It’s been worse,” or, “It could be worse.” In that moment, we’ve asserted mental dominance over the perceived oppressor. We overrode the norm, deciding how we would see it versus the it deciding for us.
Original Post
Perspective
Photo [CC-by-2.0] 2007 by Liane Tyrrel
When it comes to art, the meaning behind it and how it speaks to you is up to the eyes of the beholder. This is especially true with abstract works of art. Agnes Martin is a famous abstract artist that worked with a lot of rectangles in her art work. The famous gallerist Arne Glimcher told a story about the artist Agnes Martin: Glimcher says that once his 11-year-old granddaughter Isobel was visiting Martin. The little girl was holding onto a rose clipped from a bush outside Martin’s house. And Agnes Martin took the rose and said to the girl, “Is this rose really beautiful?” And Isobel said yes. And then Agnes Martin hid the rose behind her back and said, “Is the rose still beautiful?” “Yes,” said Isobel. And then Agnes Martin said, “You see, Isobel. Beauty is in your mind, not in the rose.” This conversation between Martin and Isobel embodies this idea of perspective. How you view something is up to you and yours to keep. Perspective is not something that is reserved only for art. Perspective is something that can be applied to anything in the real world. Being able to apply this is a powerful skill that can open one’s mind to new possibilities.