Truth vs. Perspective

There are lots of ways to quantify a snowstorm. Inches of snow can be measured, the number of passes over the driveway with the snow shovel can be counted, the feet of snow piled along the driveway can be measured, and the hundreds of ice sickles hanging from the eaves can be numbered. In order to perform the last task I'd have to tramp through the mounds of snow around the house in sub-freezing weather. No thanks, I can see the truth of the ice sickles decorating the edges. The truth of a snowstorm is easy to see. Other truths, not so much.

When I asked my friend last Sunday why he didn't want to know the truth of the situation at hand he replied that it was more important to move forward. He, and others, said it was far more important to keep relationships just as they are and forget what's happened. After all, he said, isn't it more important to forgive than to focus on something that someone has done and lied about, because after all, we really don't know. His wife added that it's all in the perspective.  Ah, the beauty of perspective.

I experienced a new perspective the other night when I came across a newscast from Berlin. It was quite enlightening to hear news from other parts of the world, i.e., Africa, South America, etc., that our media rarely covers. It was also quite educational to hear their report on the activity of the US Congress. It's always valuable to know how others see us and what they value as important. It was important to them to report that Ireland currently holds the EU Presidency and what their plans are. Who knew? I never hear about that on CNN. Anyway, perspective is very important in our complex world.

However, I think people can also use perspective as an out, an exit from the truth. In contrast to this statement,  it'd be hard to find anyone in Utah today who'd say, "Well, it's just your perspective that we got hit with a major snowstorm." I venture to guess that person would also be a member of the flat earth society.

When we don't want to hear and accept the truth, saying "It's just your perspective" is an easy route of escape. For instance, if I said, "From my perspective I'm ready to compete as a snowboarder in the next winter Olympics," it'd be quite appropriate for the US Ski Team to laugh in my face because they'd know the truth of, "This woman doesn't even know how to use a snowboard!"

But, when we're talking about clear actions witnessed by others and we choose to say, "Well, that's just your perspective" we tread on dangerous ground that will give way, at some point, under the burden of lies swept under the rug. Either she attacked or she didn't. Either he threatened to shoot someone or he didn't. Either she was paid or she wasn't, etc.

These are not difficult situations to understand. They are more similar to counting inches of snow than the perspective of Europe as it gazes across the pond.

Truth or perspective? In some situations it is difficult to discern. The one I live in right now is not one of them. What is lacking, however, is the courage to clearly delineate between the two. The floor is getting heavier by the day and the rug is fraying from all the garbage it keeps trying to cover.