The word, “perspective” simply means the way you see something.
According to vocabulary.com, if you think that toys corrupt children’s minds, then from your perspective a toy shop is an evil place. Perspective has a Latin root meaning “look through” or “perceive,” and all the meanings of perspective have something to do with looking.
People across the world have different perspectives about certain ideas, issues, situations, or circumstances. That’s why it is said that one man’s food is another man’s poison. And the way things are done in my own town is taboo in another place! Another Yoruba adage says if you have not paid a visit to another person’s father’s farm, you would believe that your own father’s farm is the largest!
One’s perspective about anything is often shaped by their:
- Family Background and Upbringing
- Environmental Factors
- Culture and Tradition
- Religion or Creed
- Educational Background
- Social Class or Social Status
- Profession/Career
One clear thing that everybody must realize is that your perspective is so vital that it could place a ceiling above your head by limiting you and hindering your growth, progress, and success. And it could also make you rule the world! It all depends on what your perspectives are about various issues in life. For instance, if you hold the perspective that you can never do succeed in life, for whatever reason, this perspective will affect your self-esteem and lead to failure.
The reason this happens is that there is nothing that you imagine that you will be restrained from achieving. Even God said so in the Good Book! So, if your imagination is vain or limited, lacking depth and precision, you might be counted as one of the mediocre people! You need to refine and watch the way you think and how you see things in order to remain on top always.
While it is good to guard one’s mind against negative opinions, perspectives, and thoughts, it is also good to consider and respect other people’s perspectives thoroughly, even if you don’t agree with them, in order not to become narrow-minded. Then you can reject the ones that are negative, and accept the ones that are positive and progressive.
A narrow-minded person cannot see beyond his or her own nose and cannot grow beyond his or her perspective. There is often a lot of wisdom in the perspective of other people too. Such a mindset limits people and stunts their growth and development. There are many ways to achieve the same goal, and those other ways could be better, more economical, and smarter! That’s why it’s not wise to close your mind against other people’s perspectives.
The Good Book also says, “As a man thinks, so he is!” Therefore, you have to watch your thoughts, imaginations, opinions, perspectives, and inspirations. If you want to go far in life, identify those lines of reasoning that affect your progress or cause you to be discouraged, weak, and fearful.
Also, identify those people around you or in your life whose perspectives limit you or affect your sense of self-worth. Finally, identify those people whose perspectives encourage you to be a better person, and strengthen your resolve to do good always. The company you keep will determine how far you would go in life. Show me your friend, and I will tell you who you are, a popular saying says.
Always remember that you can’t go further than your thoughts and opinions. Many people’s perspectives make them almost like blind people. So, be open-minded, but watch the quality of perspectives that you come across in order not to be corrupted by negative minds. Then, see yourself grow into a cultured and successful person!
