Have you ever wondered why two people can look at the same situation and see completely different things?
Do you know how to identify an intelligent person? Here’s a foolproof way to find out: walk up to someone and ask their opinion on anything. If their opinion matches yours, congratulations! They’re intelligent. If their opinion differs, well…they must be stupid. (And if you don’t agree with my brilliant method, then I hate to break it to you—you’re the stupid one here. Just kidding. Or am I?)
But let’s be honest—don’t we all behave like this at times? Consciously or unconsciously, we gravitate toward people who think like us, who validate our opinions, and who see the world through a lens similar to ours. On the other hand, we often dismiss those who think differently, labeling their views as irrelevant or uninformed. It’s not that this makes us bad people—it’s just human nature. But here’s the catch: this mindset can hold us back from truly understanding the world and the people in it.
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Every coin has two sides.” But when it comes to forming opinions, most of us forget that the other side exists. Why? Because our perspective is shaped by the lens we wear—figuratively speaking, of course. Imagine every person is wearing a pair of glasses with lenses tinted a unique color. These glasses aren’t randomly assigned; they’re crafted by our experiences, upbringing, culture, and environment. The way we see the world depends on the color of our lenses.
For example, you might see a plant and focus on its beautiful roses, while someone else sees only the thorns. Both perspectives are valid, yet they’re shaped by the lenses we wear. And here’s where things get interesting: we tend to assume that our view of the world is the view. We forget that someone else’s glasses might tint the world in a completely different hue.
Think about it: have you ever judged someone for doing something and thought, “If I were in their place, I would never have done that”? But what makes you so sure? The truth is, if you were truly in their shoes—wearing their glasses, shaped by their experiences—you might have done the exact same thing.
Our resistance to acknowledging these differences can be problematic, especially in our relationships and interactions. We expect others to see the world as we do, and when they don’t, we struggle to give their perspective the space it deserves. But here’s the thing: growth happens when we take off our own glasses for a moment and try to look through someone else’s.
Each of us carries a unique pair of glasses, tinted with our personal history, beliefs, and values. Some are rose-colored, highlighting only the beauty in life. Others might be darkened by pain, focusing on the shadows. And some are kaleidoscopic, constantly shifting between optimism and skepticism. No two pairs are exactly the same, which is what makes human interaction so fascinating—and so challenging.
The next time you find yourself disagreeing with someone, pause and remind yourself: they’re not wrong; they’re just wearing a different pair of glasses. Instead of criticizing their perspective, try to understand it. What might their lenses reveal that yours don’t?
The world is a kaleidoscope of perspectives, each as valid and valuable as the next. The more we embrace this diversity of thought, the more we’ll learn—not just about others, but about ourselves. So, let’s be curious instead of dismissive. After all, life isn’t about proving whose glasses are the best; it’s about appreciating the beautiful, multicolored mosaic they create together.
(And if you don’t agree with this? Well, maybe you need to adjust your glasses. Just saying.)
