In one person’s world, you’d confidently approach people, saying hello without hesitation. In another’s, you’d hang back near the wall, sticking to familiar faces at a social gathering. Each of us navigates life through our own unique reality, seeing the world through the lens of our experiences. But whether we think our world is sunny or stormy, sometimes we need to step outside it and see things from another angle to truly understand someone else.

Picture three people standing in a line: Persons 1 and 2 face East, while Person 3 faces West, directly opposite Person 2. If Person 2 hands a $100 bill to Person 3, Person 1 won’t see the exchange because they’re positioned behind Person 2. For Person 1 to see it, they’d need to shift to the left or right—changing their perspective.

Now imagine Persons 1 and 3 are in a relationship. If you’re Person 1, trying to understand Person 3 better, you might need to adjust your viewpoint to see things from their side. Or maybe you’re Person 2, wishing others would see life through your eyes. Perhaps, you just need to turn around and listen.

Perspective is everything. It’s your move.

Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. – Philippians 2:4