A man on one side of a river shouts to a man standing on the other side, “Hey, how do I get to the other side of the river?” The other man responds, “You are on the other side of the river.” Do not respond as the other man did, you have to embrace the other person’s point of view. Their PERSPECTIVE. Not engaging close and personal with another, renders us less socially intelligent.

Getting someone’s PERSPECTIVE you not only need to listen, you need to verify that your understanding is correct. The IROQUOIS PEOPLE have a method called the “TALKING STICK.” Only the person holding the TALKING STICK is allowed to speak. When he is finished, he hands the stick to another, who wants to add to or dispute the first comment. The second person has to repeat the first speaker’s position to that first person’s satisfaction. Only when the first person is felt understood could the second person make their point.

This fosters listening. By repeating someone else’s point, to their satisfaction, you will find out if you have understood correctly and not walk away with an interpretation. With this HUMILITY we can broaden our PERSPECTIVE.

KNOWLEDGE can also alter one’s PERSPECTIVE. The lens of the expert works like a microscope, enabling you to notice subtle details, but that focus can allow you to miss the bigger picture. Collaborating with others with HUMILITY and the process of the “TALKING STICK” you will broaden your PERSPECTIVE.

HAVING HUMILITY WILL ENABLE YOU TO CONSIDER THE PERSPECTIVE OF ANOTHER. THIS IS A PRICELESS SKILL THAT WILL BRING FULFILLMENT

TAKE CARE AND STAY WELL.

Categories: PERSPECTIVES Philosophical Perspective

ron winnegrad

Ron Winnegrad has been a Perfumer and teacher for 46 years. As a perfumer, Ron has been able to express the world he sees through a rainbow of olfactive and emotive visions. As a teacher, Ron has helped others to see fragrance through his own multi sensorial lens.