How Perspective, Truth, and Understanding Can Make Life’s Journey Smoother
Have you ever been absolutely sure about something, only to realize later that someone else saw it completely differently? It’s easy to believe that what we see is the whole truth, but the reality is that everyone views life from their own unique perspective.
This became clear to me one day while driving with my little girl. A simple question about car mirrors turned into a deep conversation about perspective, truth, and how we all see different parts of the same reality. Through this experience, I realized that honesty isn’t always about right or wrong—it’s often about the viewpoint someone has from where they’re sitting.
In this post, I’ll share that conversation, the lesson it taught me about giving others the benefit of the doubt, and how we can all learn to “use all the mirrors” in life. By embracing different perspectives, we can navigate our journey with more understanding, patience, and connection—while also remembering that we are the ones in the driver’s seat of our own lives.
The Conversation That Changed My Perspective
One day, while driving down a quiet farm road, my little girl asked, “Mom, which mirror are you supposed to use while you drive?”
Trying to figure out the best way to answer, I asked her, “Why do you want to know?”
She replied, “Because I want to know which one to use when I’m big enough to drive.”
At first, I explained that I use all of them because each mirror shows something different. But, as you can imagine, explaining that to a six-year-old only left her more confused.
She thought for a moment, then asked, “So, if they all show different things, does that mean some of them are lying?”
What? I thought. No, a mirror can’t lie.
I could see she was getting frustrated, so I decided to pull over and show her what I meant.
I asked, “What do you see when you look in the right-side mirror?”
She studied it for a moment and said, “I see a rooster out in the field.”
Then I asked, “Can you see the rooster in the left mirror?”
She checked and shook her head. “No.”
“Does that mean the rooster isn’t there?” I asked.
“Of course not! I just can’t see it in that mirror.”
That moment turned into a conversation about perspective—how different mirrors reflect different views, just like people see life from different angles.
A Lesson in Perspective
As I’ve reflected on that experience, I’ve realized how often we see honesty in black and white. This moment with my daughter made me think—maybe instead of focusing solely on truth versus lie, we should ask ourselves: Are they telling the truth from their seat in the car, with the information they have available to them?
This shift in perspective has made a real difference in my life. It has allowed me to give my children the benefit of the doubt, to recognize that they, like all of us, are doing their best with what they can see. Sometimes they don’t have the full picture—but really, who does?
The Bigger Picture
We all have different seats in the car of life. Some of us have a clear view of the road ahead, while others may only see what’s behind or to the side. No single person has every perspective, which is why listening to others and considering their viewpoints matters.
Just like when driving, we make the best decisions when we use all the mirrors—not just the one directly in front of us. By valuing the perspectives of the people in the car with us, we can navigate more safely and smoothly. And in life, the more we seek to understand each other’s views, the better the ride will be for everyone.
That said, while listening to different perspectives is valuable, we must also remember one crucial thing—we are the ones in the driver’s seat of our own lives. Advice and insight from others can be helpful, but at the end of the day, you are responsible for the path you take. You control the wheel. You decide when to turn, when to slow down, and when to speed up. Life isn’t about blindly following someone else’s directions—it’s about gathering wisdom from many sources while staying true to your own journey.
So let’s be mindful of the different seats we all sit in. Let’s listen, learn, and respect each other’s perspectives—while also embracing the responsibility of steering our own course. Because together, we can make the journey a whole lot better
Join Me on This Journey of Growth and Understanding
I hope this story has inspired you to embrace different perspectives and use all the “mirrors” life has to offer. The more we understand each other, the smoother our journeys will be. I invite you to reflect on your own experiences and how you can practice patience, empathy, and understanding in your relationships and daily life.
If you found value in this post, I’d love for you to stay connected and continue this journey with me. Join my email list for more insights, inspiration, and personal development tips designed to help you navigate life’s challenges with intention. Together, we can grow, learn, and create a brighter, more intentional future.
Don’t forget to leave a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts and how you’re incorporating these lessons into your own life. Let’s keep the conversation going!
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