45 Interesting Comparison Images To Give You A New Perspective On Things

Perspective is an interesting concept, isn’t it? Just by slightly shifting our view, we can appreciate the beauty around us, see things in a completely different light, and come up with a myriad of new ideas and solutions. But to achieve that, people should keep an open mind and step out of their comfort zone every chance they get.

To learn more about perspective and what kind of role it plays in our lives, we reached out to Kelly Boys, a mindfulness trainer, consultant, and author of The Blind Spot Effect: How to Stop Missing What's Right in Front of You. She told Bored Panda that perspective has to do with how we’re holding any given moment. "It includes your viewpoint or the framework with which you are looking, as well as your values, biases, and beliefs."

In short, it’s the way we choose to see the world. Since we humans are always eager to absorb information and learn something new about our surroundings, the outlook we have on life is also shifting. Our perspective is our decision, and, like any other choice out there, it can be changed.

Whether we know it or not, our perspective is a powerful force that drives our thoughts. Depending on whether those thoughts are positive or not, they lead to a chain reaction where we decide what kind of actions we should take, and how we feel about them — content or not.

Our attitude can also alter and affect our mood. "Think of a moment where a stranger did something for you out of kindness — what kind of perspective did you bring into your next moment? You probably had a mood of buoyancy and happiness," Boys explained. "You saw the world through new, kind eyes. The opposite is true as well."

If we want to lead a fulfilling life, changing our point of view is not only beneficial but also necessary. "By holding different perspectives, we are able to see the whole. No one of us has the whole picture — we need each other's points of view to help us have empathy and compassion," the mindfulness trainer noted.

Even if we're afraid to seek out new experiences or feel discouraged to enter an unfamiliar area, we benefit from it either way. These moments help us grow as human beings, make us feel stronger and more confident in our abilities.

According to Boys, the primary way to become better at changing our perspective "is to know that a prime fallibility of humans is that we believe our own thoughts. When we don't change our perspective, we can harden into stances that limit creativity and diversity, and that hold us all back."

"Getting to know your own perspectives, and how they shift over time, will help you be more flexible and open to seeing from new viewpoints," she advised. "If this is looked at as a growth opportunity and an adaptive way to thrive in our rapidly changing world, then it may be more compelling for you to seek out new experiences that show you the world from different points of view."

Boys added: "Being flexible in our thinking is the wave of the future. Amidst a society that is fracturing under polarizing talking points, it's nuance and ambiguity that are our friends and will help us solve the world's most complex problems."

Well, one thing that fosters our never-ending wish to explore is our continuous curiosity. Best-selling author Jonathan H. Westover, Ph.D., wrote that it leads to continual growth and learning, which drives positive personal, team, and organizational results.

It’s no secret that lifelong learning is something that many strive for. If we want to become better at it, Westover suggested challenging our assumptions and checking our biases. "We need to practice regular self-reflection, surround ourselves with difference (so we don’t get trapped in an echo chamber and our ideas can be challenged) and continually ask ourselves questions to get to the core of the issues we encounter."

Asking questions, even what may seem to be silly ones, is crucial. "We need to actively encourage our people to vocally question and challenge the status quo," he wrote. That way, we’re able to spark heated discussions, understand where other people are coming from, and broaden our knowledge of the world.

It can be hard to grasp what impact time and circumstances have on us and our surroundings. Luckily, taking the time to look at the evidence right in front of our eyes can suggest answers to even the most difficult questions and give a fresh perspective on life.