While we are much more alike than different, humans can experience our world in almost unrecognizable ways.
The fascinating movie Vantage Point shows how we all get different glimpses of many situations. None of us has the whole picture. That’s why it’s so important to listen to each other. Our own memories of any event never exactly match what others remember.
Even if they were standing right next to us for the duration!
Past experiences influence our memories. And no one in the world has the same experiences before any shared event. It’s important to value what makes each of us unique!
Emotions color our memories.
While two people may both be sad at a funeral, neither feels the sadness in the same way. Dan may be sad because the funeral brings back memories of when his mom died. Jess may be sad knowing that she’s never going to have another deep conversation with Paul.
Dan may be humming a song his mom used to sing in his mind while listening to the priest drone on. Jess may simultaneously be reliving her most recent fight with Paul.
What I want to convey goes beyond this.
Ben’s eyesight is not what it once was. He’s struggling to read the words to the song the congregation is singing. Sally wants a bit of attention while singing the same song as she remembers playing the lead in a musical in college.
While Ben and Sally both worked with Paul, neither knew him as well as Jess and Dan. Paul’s mom had grown estranged from her son. Paul’s father had played golf with him just last week.
Sally smells the earth dug up at Paul’s grave site. It reminds her of finding earthworms to use as bait when she used to go fishing with her dad. Dan is worried about whether or not his boss is going to be upset that his report isn’t done. Jess is pissed that she broke a fingernail before reaching the grave site. Ben isn’t used to walking so far and can’t ignore the pain in his joints.
While they all may be there, none of them is having the same experience.
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