"La réalité est une question de perspective plus on s'éloigne du passé plus il semble concret et plausible"
Quote meaning
The essence of this quote is that our understanding of reality is influenced by our perspective and distance from events. When we're close to something, it can be murky and hard to decipher. But as we move further away in time, those same events often become clearer and more understandable. It’s kind of like looking at a painting—if your nose is pressed against it, all you see are colorful blobs. But step back a few feet, and suddenly, you see the whole picture.
This idea has roots in history and psychology. Think about it: when you're in the middle of something big happening, it’s chaotic. You don’t see the whole impact. During the Civil Rights Movement, for instance, people involved might have felt like the world was falling apart. It was messy, it was dangerous—there was no certainty about the outcome. But looking back now, we see it as a crucial turning point that reshaped society for the better. Time has given us the perspective to understand its significance.
Take the example of personal relationships. Let’s say you’ve just had a breakup. Right now, it feels like the end of the world. Your chest is tight, and your mind is a tangled mess of memories and what-ifs. All you see is the pain and the void left behind. Fast forward a few years. You’ve moved on, maybe even found someone new. Looking back, you can see why it had to happen. You recognize the lessons learned and how you’ve grown. The pain has transformed into wisdom.
If you want to apply this perspective in your own life, start by acknowledging that your current view is limited. When you’re caught up in the thick of things, remind yourself that clarity often comes with time. Imagine you’re dealing with a rough patch at work. Maybe there are layoffs happening, and you’re unsure about your job security. It's terrifying right now. But try to step back mentally. Think about how this could look in a year. You might find a new opportunity that’s even better. Or maybe you'll stay and grow stronger because you endured the tough times. Either way, future-you will have a clearer view than present-you.
Let’s paint a picture: Imagine you’re at a concert. You’re right in front, surrounded by a sea of people. The music is loud, the crowd is pulsing, and it’s nearly impossible to find your friends if you get separated. That’s the here and now—intense and pretty overwhelming. But if you could somehow hover above it all, looking down at the whole scene, it’d be much easier to spot your friends. You’d have the full perspective. Life works the same way. When you’re in the thick of it, everything is amplified and confusing. But rise above—give it some time—and things start making sense.
So next time you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, remember: distance gives you perspective. Time will make things clearer and more concrete. It’s like that favorite old saying, “This too shall pass.” And when it does, you’ll be able to see just why it had to happen.
This idea has roots in history and psychology. Think about it: when you're in the middle of something big happening, it’s chaotic. You don’t see the whole impact. During the Civil Rights Movement, for instance, people involved might have felt like the world was falling apart. It was messy, it was dangerous—there was no certainty about the outcome. But looking back now, we see it as a crucial turning point that reshaped society for the better. Time has given us the perspective to understand its significance.
Take the example of personal relationships. Let’s say you’ve just had a breakup. Right now, it feels like the end of the world. Your chest is tight, and your mind is a tangled mess of memories and what-ifs. All you see is the pain and the void left behind. Fast forward a few years. You’ve moved on, maybe even found someone new. Looking back, you can see why it had to happen. You recognize the lessons learned and how you’ve grown. The pain has transformed into wisdom.
If you want to apply this perspective in your own life, start by acknowledging that your current view is limited. When you’re caught up in the thick of things, remind yourself that clarity often comes with time. Imagine you’re dealing with a rough patch at work. Maybe there are layoffs happening, and you’re unsure about your job security. It's terrifying right now. But try to step back mentally. Think about how this could look in a year. You might find a new opportunity that’s even better. Or maybe you'll stay and grow stronger because you endured the tough times. Either way, future-you will have a clearer view than present-you.
Let’s paint a picture: Imagine you’re at a concert. You’re right in front, surrounded by a sea of people. The music is loud, the crowd is pulsing, and it’s nearly impossible to find your friends if you get separated. That’s the here and now—intense and pretty overwhelming. But if you could somehow hover above it all, looking down at the whole scene, it’d be much easier to spot your friends. You’d have the full perspective. Life works the same way. When you’re in the thick of it, everything is amplified and confusing. But rise above—give it some time—and things start making sense.
So next time you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, remember: distance gives you perspective. Time will make things clearer and more concrete. It’s like that favorite old saying, “This too shall pass.” And when it does, you’ll be able to see just why it had to happen.
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