“There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of
perception.”
― Aldous Huxley
My junior year in college I picked up a copy of the book, “Walden – Life in The Woods” by Henry David Thoreau. I remember painstakingly highlighting quote after quote as I read this book. By far though, the quote I have returned to most often and shared whenever applicable is this:
“I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor. It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look, which morally we can do. To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.”
This idea has been critical so many times in my life and having this quote as a reminder has helped me in those times I have needed an adjustment to how I was seeing things. It is so easy for us to fall victim to a narrowing perspective as our life unfolds. Life all too often becomes limited to our neighborhood, our religion, our political view, our hobbies, our food choices, our clothing preferences, or our musical tastes; the list could go on. The truth is there is nothing inherently wrong with having any of these preferences or choices. Where a problem arises is when they become blocks, limitations or justifications. What do I mean by that? As a result of a particular political view, we might be blocked from seeing anything possibly good in another person’s political view. Or perhaps, as has been demonstrated throughout history a particular religious belief is used as justification for killing another person. Further, we may severely limit ourselves by choosing to not get to know or associate with someone strictly based upon the neighborhood they are from being different than ours. These are instances in which a broader perspective is desperately needed.
Thoreau opines that a man can “elevate his life by a conscious endeavor”. What this implies is that all of us, with deliberate intent, can change our perspective. He further states “it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look”. Though it has taken me many years to fully comprehend what he is saying here, I believe I have come to an understanding of it. Essentially, there are so many things we can do in this life but the most important is our perspective. From this, all else flows. Learning to see things in a more open, curious and non-judgmental manner can be deeply rewarding. Developing a broader perspective can indeed affect the quality of our days and I agree with Thoreau is “the highest of all arts”. What will be your perspective today?
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