Having dealt with recognizing the symptoms of ‚poor vision‘ in the previous article in this series, we will now turn to its logical opposite: ’seeing well‘. To give this topic sufficient coverage, we have divided it into two parts.
Seeing – more than a physiological act
Seeing – an act that seems so natural and accompanies us every day yet is rarely questioned. The famous case study by the English surgeon William Cheselden[1] is an example of this. After restoring sight to a boy who had been blind since birth, Cheselden discovered that having functioning eyes alone is not enough to truly see. Although the boy could perceive light and shapes, he lacked the ability to grasp dimensions, distances and proportions. The world remained alien to him – despite his restored organic vision.
Later medical reports also confirm that seeing is much more than a physiological act. It is an unconscious learning process that takes place in the first years of life and is difficult to catch up on later. The ability to store, organize, and interpret visual impressions only develops through experience, repetition, and practice. Without this learning process, the world appears distorted and fragmented, even if the eyes are functioning properly.
Between perception and reality
This insight can be applied directly to our thinking. ‚Seeing well‘ – and thus ‚thinking well‘ – involves much more than mere perception. It requires us to consciously train our perspective. Perception is not a neutral process; we are not passive recipients of absolute reality but actively shape what and how we perceive. In other words, the way we see things influences the way we experience the world. For instance, people who focus primarily on the negative unconsciously create a negative-dominated world for themselves. The following examples demonstrate the extent to which this effect can influence our everyday lives:
- Two people are stuck in traffic: for one, it’s a complete waste of time; for the other, it’s a welcome opportunity to listen to an audiobook or let their thoughts wander in peace. Although the situation may appear identical from the outside, their perceptions and experiences could hardly be more different.
- Two employees receive critical feedback. While one views it as an attack on their competence, the other recognizes it as an opportunity to develop and acquire new skills.
As long as we do not question or develop our own perspective, we remain convinced that the world is as we perceive it to be, rather than as it really is, much like the blind boy who underwent surgery. This means we fail to notice how deeply entrenched our beliefs and prejudices are. A change of perspective begins with the realization that seeing and understanding must both be learned. Only then can we remove our ‚mental glasses‘, put on a new pair and see the world in a new light.
The creative power of thought
Our thoughts have a greater influence than we realize and possess an astonishing power. They influence not only our mood, but also the reality in which we live. Those who consistently expect negative outcomes may unconsciously create the conditions for them to happen. Conversely, a positive and confident attitude can open doors and create opportunities. The following examples illustrate this connection:
- If you’re convinced that an important meeting is going to go badly, you’ll often appear tense and uncertain, which will subconsciously increase the likelihood of your prediction coming true. However, if you go into the meeting feeling open and confident, you’ll demonstrate your readiness to find a solution, which will have a positive impact on the outcome of the meeting.
- New challenges are presented at a team meeting. Pessimists only see problems and obstacles, and are convinced that the project is doomed to fail. Optimists, on the other hand, see opportunities for further development and innovation, or at least a chance to gain new experiences.
One morning, two perspectives – a case study
Let’s try a little thought experiment – one that shows how much our thoughts can shape our everyday lives. Imagine it’s early morning. The sky is gray and your schedule is full of important but rather unpleasant meetings. You also have a meeting with your boss, who has previously wrongly accused you of something. All in all, it’s fair to say that it’s not an exciting outlook for the day ahead. A morning like this could easily lead to pessimism. Or it could be an opportunity to change of perspective. It is up to us whether we allow negative thoughts to guide us or to seek more positive approaches. It is precisely at this point that the day takes a turn in one direction or another, depending on the perspective we choose.
- Perspective 1: I let myself be carried away by my initial impulse and paint the day in gloomy colors. As mentioned earlier, it’s gray outside, so it will probably rain and get cold soon. The dreaded meetings? They will undoubtedly go badly. There may be trouble; in the worst case, I might even get fired. Besides, there’s a stomach flu going around. To make matters worse, the coffee is too hot, and the kitchen sink is clogged again. In short, it seems as if everything is going against me from the start.
- Perspective 2: However, I can also view the day differently. Perhaps the weather will improve later, and even if it doesn’t, rain is natural for this time of year and good for nature. The upcoming meetings are important, and with good preparation, I can approach them with confidence. Talking to my boss could give me the opportunity to clear up the misunderstanding and present myself in a positive light. Even if things go wrong, getting fired wouldn’t be the end of the world. I’m healthy, my family and friends support me, and that’s what matters. So far, we’ve been spared the flu, the coffee just needs to cool down a bit, and I can take care of the clogged drain later. Maybe even with the help of my friend, who is a true handyman. That could be an opportunity too!
While the scenario may seem exaggerated, the underlying principle is clear: for the most part, we are in control of how we shape our day — and, ultimately, the world we live in. Those who create a gray, cramped space within themselves should not be surprised when they one day find themselves stuck in it. They themselves chose the path that led them there. Conversely, those who cultivate an inner world of intelligent optimism, possibilities and open doors create space for positive experiences and recognise opportunities that would otherwise have remained hidden. At the same time, inconveniences and difficulties lose their impact because you are not at their mercy; you face them with a different perspective.
The key is to create an inner world that we actively shape through our own perspective. The book[2] contains a quote from Ostad Elahi[3] that sums up this principle particularly aptly in two sentences:
Everyone sees the world around them in a way that corresponds to their own inner state. Everything a person perceives on the outside ultimately reflects what is going on inside them.[4]
Thoughts as a material force
Thoughts are not abstract; they possess a kind of “materiality” that shapes our inner being. Negative thoughts can act like a veil that darkens our soul and shields us from positive influences. A changed perspective—consciously “seeing the good”—can open our soul and fill it with energy. The following examples illustrate this connection:
- People who worry constantly often feel exhausted and listless. In contrast, those who consciously cultivate positive thoughts often experience everyday life with greater ease and renewed motivation.
- In challenging times especially, consciously noticing small rays of hope, such as a kind word, a beautiful sunset or a successful conversation, can lift your mood noticeably and give you new strength. Further positive approaches can be found in the survey section of our article on resilience, where we presented effective mental strategies for developing and strengthening it.
Responsibility for one’s own point of view
In summary, it can be said that “seeing well” is much more than just an optical achievement—it is a conscious decision and a task that accompanies us throughout our lives. As this article has demonstrated, our perception arises not only from the interaction of light and lenses, but above all from within ourselves. It is not external circumstances that determine how we experience the world, but the attitude with which we encounter it. We are therefore less at the mercy of circumstances than we often believe: we are not victims of reality, but co-creators. This realization is liberating, but at the same time it demands something of us. It requires us to take responsibility for our own point of view and to actively refine our inner perspective.
To be concrete:
- Perspectives can be trained. Change starts with small steps—for example, with the decision to view a stressful day not as a threat, but as an opportunity for personal development.
- Every change of perspective requires self-reflection. Why do I see things the way I do? Which learned thought patterns shape my perception? Am I prepared to question these patterns, and break them down if necessary?
- Working on your own perspectives is an active process. It requires honesty with yourself, mental flexibility, and a willingness to grow. Rather than downplaying problems or sugarcoating everything, the goal is to consciously take a position on them and recognize challenges as opportunities for growth.
- ‚Seeing well‘ also means recognizing the positive in others and in difficult situations. Those who ’see well‘ recognize the good in others and in challenging situations. This fosters compassion, understanding and openness — qualities that not only enrich one’s own life, but also enhance relationships within the family, at work and in society.
Practical consequences for everyday life:
- Recognize your own “glasses”: If you consciously pause and ask yourself what filter you are viewing a situation through, you create the conditions for a clearer, undistorted view. The crucial question to ask yourself is: “Am I focusing exclusively on the negative—or am I keeping an open mind to new possibilities?”
- Changing perspectives as a conflict resolution technique: In disputes in particular, changing your perspective can help you to understand the other person’s position. This not only promotes empathy, but also enables you to find solutions that both sides can support.
- Constructive attitude at work: Having a positive, constructive and solution-oriented attitude at work can help you to view challenges as opportunities for professional and personal development rather than threats.
Conclusion:
Finally, however, it must be emphasized that a change of perspective is not a one-time event. Rather, it is an ongoing process that can be demanding and requires courage, self-criticism and the willingness to take responsibility for one’s thoughts and feelings. Those who take on this task not only expand their personal freedom of action, but also positively impact their environment. “Seeing well” thus becomes a key to personal maturity, inner freedom, and successful coexistence.
Preview of Part 2
In the second part of ‚Seeing Well‘, we place an even stronger focus on actively shaping our perspective, and on reconciling ’seeing well‘ with the search for the ‚right perspective‘.
Authors: The Ethica Rationalis editorial team
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[1] William Cheselden (October 19, 1688 – April 10, 1752) was an English surgeon and teacher of anatomy and surgery who contributed significantly to establishing surgery as a scientific medical profession.
[2] Shifting Perspectives by Olivier de Brivezac and Emmanuel Comte
[3] Nur Ali Elahi—also known as Ostad Elahi—was an Iranian spiritual thinker, musician, and high judge. He was born on September 11, 1895, and died on October 19, 1974.
[4] Ostad Elahi: Asâr ol-Haqq, Volume 2, Tehran 1991, p. 169.
