Last week, an eagle landed in my balcony with its hunt — a skinned baby sparrow.
As I opened the door, it scared the eagle. It left the prey behind and flew away into the sky.
I felt bad because I didn’t mean to scare it. “You’ll have to find another now… please come back,” I said.
Within moments, a tribe of ants arrived to feast on the abandoned baby bird.
It struck me that if it weren't for my presence, the ants would never have savored such a royal lunch.
This simple incident sparked a deeper realization about the wisdom of seeing situations from various angles.
Here are some of the thoughts I experienced:
Should I feel sorrow for the baby bird becoming a meal?
Should I feel guilty for disturbing the eagle during lunch?
Should I embrace a sense of fulfillment for granting the ants a treat?
This tells us, every event possesses different angles. It's up to us to choose the lens through which we view reality.
And we have the power to reframe reality by shifting our perspective.
This concept reminds me of Gabrielle Bernstein's words in her book The Universe Has Your Back.
Every situation, thing, and person can be seen through one of two lenses: the lens of fear or the lens of love.
A remarkable revelation
After years of being a not-so-practicing Muslim, it occurred to me I should know what I say I believe in.
I wanted the answer to—why am I a Muslim? I didn’t want the usual “because my parents are.”
In 2020—the year I spent voluntarily unemployed—I studied religions in depth. I started with the Quran, then Bible, Psalms, Bhagvad Gita, Torah, and Nahj Al-Balagha.
After dedicating a whole year, I realized: religions have different lenses to look at God.
For instance, Abrahamic religions like Islam, Christianity, and Judaism perceive God through the lens of fear. – emphasizing concepts of Taqwa, Yirat HaShem, eternal punishment, and fear of God being the highest of virtues.
In contrast, Buddhism, Taoism, and Baha'i Faith view God through the lens of love, nurturing compassion and harmony.
Huge difference!
The distinction is profound, and explains why Buddhism has no concept of war, only love.
How to apply this in your life
Next time you find yourself facing adversity – whether it's due to work or a personal loss — pause and analyze the lens you're using to view the situation.
Ask yourself:
Is my lens serving me well?
Is it the only way to look at this?
Is it fostering compassion and understanding?
Three ideas to harness the power of lenses:
Lens Awareness: Identify the lenses that influence your outlook. Regularly challenge yourself to explore alternative lenses, such as empathy or compassion.
Perspective Shifting: Engage in thought exercises to view events from different angles. Think how others might perceive the same situation. Ask yourself “how would Mr. Bean see it?”
Zoom Out: Subjectivity causes us to stay stuck in our own limited reality. Sit down with a trusted friend and ask them to help you zoom out. Chances are, their objective look at your situation will make you realize it’s not that bad.
Incorporate these ideas, and witness the impact of consciously choosing your lenses.
That’s a wrap!
Remember, it's not about altering reality, but creating a more compassionate reality through the lens you embrace.
By consciously choosing your lenses, you hold the key to unlocking a world of empowerment and understanding.
Lastly, your thoughts and reflections on the topic are welcome (in the comments).
Thank you for reading!
Here are some ways you can appreciate me:
Show your love by clicking the ❤️ below
Share The Strategic Self so others can find it (most helpful)
If you’re feeling generous, consider buying me a book or coffee
The parting gift 🎁
Three exciting tracks to help you shift perspective!
Until next time,
Hassaan