My Son,
I read this story, which I reproduce here because as humans we tend to stand on our high horses thinking we are in the right when in fact, our decisions are being colored by our points of view.
“When I was in elementary school, I got into a major argument with a boy in my class. I have forgotten what the argument was about, but I have never forgotten the lesson I learned that day.I was convinced that “I” was right and “he” was wrong – and he was just as convinced that “I” was wrong and “he” was right. The teacher decided to teach us a very important lesson.
She brought us up to the front of the class and placed him on one side of her desk,while I was place at the other side. In the middle of her desk was a large, round object. I could clearly see that it was black. She asked the boy what color the object was. “White,” he answered.
I couldn’t believe he said the object was white, when it was obviously black! Another argument started between my classmate and I, this time about the color of the object.Then, the teacher told me to go stand where the boy was standing and told him to stand where I had been. We changed places, and now she asked me what the color of the object was. I had to answer, “White.”It was an object with two differently colored sides. Previously when we argued, from his viewpoint the object was white. Only from my side, it was black.”
Sometimes we need to look at the problem from the other person’s view in order to truly understand his/her perspective.
Author Unknown
Now my son, if truth be told, black or white really depends on our points of view.