Two young country lads were bored one summer day and decided it would be fun to push over the outhouse. They snuck up like a couple of spys, pushed it over, then ran laughing into the woods. When they returned home later, their father called them over. "Did you two push over the outhouse this afternoon?" he demanded. The older boy nodded. "I learned in school that I cannot tell a lie. Yes, father, we did push over the outhouse."

Their father whipped them and sent them to bed without supper. In the morning, he asked them, "Have you two learned your lesson?"

"Yes, father," the older boy said, looking confused. "But in school we learned that George Washington admitted to his father that he had chopped down a cherry tree and he was forgiven because he told the truth!"

Their father nodded. "That's true. But George's father wasn't IN the cherry tree when he chopped it down!"

I imagine that perspective might have a bearing on how one would react. It seems perfectly logical to me Dad would be upset, and that he would be not nearly so upset had he not been in the outhouse.

That kind of thing happens to us all the time in daily life. Our perspective, our point of view is always that spot from which our mind is currently set. For example if your child comes up to you and wants you to play with them, and everything is all right with you, then you may decline politely, or even go play with them. However, if you are already angry because you just had a rip snortin' fight with your spouse or significant other, you are more prone to telling the child to go get lost, and that in an angry tone.

So, you see, your perspective affects how you react to certain circumstances.

Guess what? It affects the way others react to you as well. Others will react to you according to two things: first, according to their own perspective and, second, according to how you react to them. Think on that.

Is it any wonder folks have trouble getting along? And then we throw into the mix certain attitudes toward ethnic groups and toward religious groups and toward other groups. Now tell me how it is that we can get along at all.

I often suggest to my kids it is far better to have a chosen, standard perspective through which to view the world, one that you don't permit emotion to influence. I recommend they adopt a businesslike attitude toward all, equally, and without emotion at any point or time. I suggest they remain calm in all circumstances and that they keep their eye on the ball, meaning that they choose what outcome they want before they begin and keep pressing in that direction.

Because emotion can lead one down the garden path I recommend they learn to put it aside when dealing with others, that they can deal with emotion inside themselves at another time when it is less likely to affect outcomes. That way they can be and remain in charge of their lives. They can be responsible for what happens to them and around them, and they can guide circumstances to their pleasure.

Is Your Perspective Different?

©2005

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