Expanding Our Perspective

In our work at MP6, we have the honor of hearing, witnessing, and supporting other people’s stories every day. We see the wide variety of perspectives and lived experiences, and how this builds our understanding of the power of our individual narratives in our choices and community building.

We are, in fact, hardwired for story and meaning-making. Evolutionarily, our brain seeks to make sense of the world - it wants good guy, bad guy, I-know-how-this-ends-so-I-can-keep-you-safe. In the absence of data or previous memories, we make up story based on what we DO know, remember, or have lived through.

Have you ever read a novel that was told from multiple perspectives? Reading multiple lenses of the same events demonstrates how different people can interpret and have a vastly different lived experience. Sometimes, it helps to remember we don’t have all the characters, perspectives, or data as we make our meaning. There ARE other ways of seeing the world - if only we ask and listen.

Hearing others’ stories expands our understanding, empathy skills, and our own perspective. We gain additional insight and ways of viewing the world, which in turn helps us understand that our way is not the only way. We hear stories that will bring us joy, make us weep, and create deep understanding.

We listen, we learn, we build connection.