Perspectives

Flying over Los Angeles, on the way back to Utah from the Survivor finale'.

(Photo taken by our oldest son, Jay.)

I've been thinking a lot lately--about how different our perspectives can be on topics. 


And when I say "our perspective," I mean humanity's perspective.


For example, I can think of 100 reasons why every person on the planet should have a big family. 


And yet, someone else can think of 100 reasons why every person shouldn't have children at all.


And, I can think of 100 reasons why every person on the planet should watch Survivor.


Yet someone else can think of 100 why reasons we shouldn't even own a TV--let alone watch Survivor.


And the different perspectives go on, and on, and on.


Well, the world is a pretty big place, so it would only make sense that we'd have different perspectives on things. Right?


But often these different perspectives arise from people who are very similar to ourselves--people we work with, attend church with ... or are even married to. (LOL.)


So my question today, is two-fold:


1. How do you respond to those different perspectives in your life?


2. How do you treat the other?
(The "other" ideas and the "other" people who support them.)


And when I say, "you," I really mean ME and you.


I'm curious.


Because this weekend my husband and I realized we have several different perspectives on certain issues. (And some of these differences deal with perspectives on things that have ALREADY happened; this isn't just theoretical here. Ha ha ha.)


Here's a tiny sampling of some topics where Dave and I have different perspectives (from one another):


--Child-raising (how independent teenagers should be).


--Car maintenance (how frequently we change our oil).


--Soda consumption (whether we're teaching our kids healthy eating habits).


--Travel (whether we've built a lot of good memories for our kids).


--And even how to stay fit (when and how we should exercise).


And here's why I've been thinking about this topic:


I LOVE DAVE to no end--and I still come unraveled when he thinks or acts differently than I do. 


In other words, when someone I love and cherish has a different perspective than mine, there are times I get angry, frustrated, quiet, snippy, etc.


So, if I can't learn to accept OUR differences, how in the heck can I expect to live in harmony/peace with other people--people I don't necessarily know well, love, cherish, esteem, etc.?


And most important to me is this question:


How can I expect other people, businesses, countries, etc., to live in peace and harmony when I don't practice it myself?


Any ideas? I'd love to hear 'em.