Enlightened by Different Perspectives
Near to where I live there is a large mountain range. As the sun moves from morning to evening, it illuminates the range in different ways and exposes its different perspectives. The light effects enhance and highlight the peak forms and exposes the shadows of the gullies as it moves across the range face. You can look at the same range at different times of the day and it translates very differently. The same mountain range displays different perspectives based on the changing dynamics.
As the sun's journey across the sky reveals changing perspectives on the mountain range, so too does being alone offer unique opportunities for self-reflection and connection.
When I travel alone, I often eat by myself. The experience of eating alone creates different opportunities that I don’t get if I’m dining with others. When I dine with others my attention is on the people I’m with. I pay little attention to the serving staff other than pleasantries. There are three things of importance to me when dining out with others: the people I’m with, the food, and the atmosphere. When I dine alone, I’m more attentive to my surroundings and the serving staff. I find myself looking around and listening to people on other tables, I notice more of the smaller details, like table settings, how others are served. I go as far as reading the menu and drinks list and critiquing the selection. I observe the décor and wonder about different layouts or observe themes.
Changes in dynamics are relative to what changes around you, these will help you to see different perspectives that you might not see. There are 3 insights that I draw from this, they are.
Greater Awareness of Your Surroundings:
When you are freed from distractions, you become more attuned to the details of your environment. You gain a heightened awareness of the things that surround you that you might not usually observe. This awareness is important and helps broaden your perspective and deepens your appreciation of the environment you’re in. This level of observation allows you to engage with the finer details that may have otherwise missed.
Different levels of Interaction:
The absence of the distraction of intentional companionship opens up unique opportunities for interaction with others. If you are the sort of person that would rather be alone, that’s ok as well. Your desire to interact with others may not be important. By immersing yourself in these new interactions, you create moments of temporary connections that can leave a positive impact on those around you. You can learn more and forge more meaningful interactions with others when you are willing to show interest in them.
Thinking differently and Become Curious:
The act of intentional observation goes beyond the ability of seeing—it involves actively thinking through different perspectives and how you interact with different experiences. This intentional thinking time helps you become centred and fully immersed in your environment. It heightens your level of curiosity, because you have the time and the choice of how you want to distract yourself and pass the time.
By being more aware of your surroundings and embracing these experiences, you can cultivate a greater opportunity for more meaningful interactions, heightened curiosity, and centred thinking.
My 5 Learnings:
Similar places can translate as different experiences based on the context of the time and who I’m with.
Being alone allows space for me to respond differently to my surroundings.
If I am not aware of my surroundings, I might miss out on deeper learning experiences.
As a social person, I desire to seek out other people's connection.
When alone, my curiosity is heightened in a way that amplifies my desire to see more.
To be able to see things from a different perspective, you might have to allow yourself to go somewhere different, spend time alone or talk to different people. The key thing to remember is that it is easy to get stuck in the same recurring life loops unless you are forced out of them or are intentional about seeking different perspectives.
My 3 Questions for you:
What experiences have made you respond or think differently?
When alone do you seek connection with others or prefer your solitude?
How do you activate your curiosity?
“The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.”
- Albert Einstein
If you have questions, I would be happy to chat with you and help you discover more.
Remember daily to, “Find value in your influence”
Written By: Paul Fawcett.
