Here’s a simple truth that took me years to fully grasp: everyone on this planet has a different worldview. Yes—every single person. That includes your neighbor, your coworkers, your sister-in-law with the loud opinions, and even that guy in line who’s furious about the price of avocados.
Your worldview is basically your lens on life. It’s shaped by everything you’ve experienced: your family, your education, your job, your religion (or lack of it), your culture, your personality, the books you’ve read, the news you consume, and even your country’s politics. It’s the filter through which you interpret… well, everything.
And here’s the kicker: no one else has your exact filter. Not even your twin, if you have one. We each bring a totally unique blend of history, emotion, and bias to the table—so it’s no surprise we sometimes struggle to agree on what we’re even looking at.
I once went to a seminar that illustrated this beautifully. It was a room full of smart, accomplished people—people I knew, respected, and occasionally exchanged heated opinions with about work projects. The facilitator ran a simple experiment:
A tray was brought out, covered by a cloth. We were told that when the cloth was lifted, we’d have 30 seconds to observe the tray’s contents—around 30 items, all different shapes, sizes, colors, and materials. Afterward, we’d answer ten questions about what we saw.
Easy, right? Wrong.
Questions like “How many items were made of glass?” or “How many were round?” led to wild answers. Some folks guessed five, others said twelve. Nobody nailed a single question. We were stunned. (And mildly defensive.)
But the point was clear: we all saw something different. Even with the same visual input, our minds focused on different things. Some of us zeroed in on color, others on materials, others on what reminded them of home or childhood.
It was a powerful reminder that memory, perception, and value are incredibly subjective—even among a group of thoughtful, educated adults. If we can’t agree on how many wooden things were on a tray, no wonder we disagree on how to run a meeting or load the dishwasher.
So what’s the takeaway?
If you start with the assumption that other people see the world differently than you do—not wrongly, just differently—you’re more likely to stay curious than combative. You might find yourself asking, “What makes you see it that way?” or “Tell me more about that.”
This doesn’t mean you have to agree with everyone. It just means you give them room to be human. Maybe even give yourself permission to be wrong once in a while. (I know, deep breaths.)
My dad was great at this. With a big, opinionated family and a wide social circle, he heard all kinds of ideas—many of which he strongly disagreed with. But instead of jumping into debate mode, he’d pause, smile, and say, “Huh. I never thought of it like that.” Simple. Disarming. Brilliant.
That one line—“I never thought of it like that”—can change the temperature of a conversation, build bridges, and maybe even help you understand the world just a little better.
Try it sometime. Especially with your sister-in-law.
Leave a Reply