My very first day of 4th year nursing, the instructors
initiated a very thought-provoking discussion on “perspective”. We were assigned the task of taking a creative
photograph on the campus premises and reflecting on how this image may be
perceived by others. It is needless to
say that in a classroom with so many unique individuals, discussion was
plenty. The value of looking at a situation
from another person’s point of view is that it enables us to gain a better
understanding of the other’s perspective and we can therefore “see the bigger picture” so to speak. Shifting your perspective also helps us to
recognize and compensate for our own biases.
It is a reminder to be cautious when imagining the viewpoint(s) of someone we cannot reconcile our own values
with for we may be tempted to make assumptions that are unlikely to be an
accurate reflection of that individual.
This theme will undoubtedly emerge in my travels to
Ghana. How might my perspective(s)
change or possibly even clash in a cultural landscape that differs from my
own? What biases may emerge? The experience of viewing life from a
different lens is significant; trying on that lens in a foreign place, far from
home I expect will be quite a revelation to myself. I invite anybody who reads this to share
their thoughts and experiences relative to “perspective” and how you handled
your own feelings/reactions.
