How often are you guilty of forming an opinion based on a very limited amount of information?
Always remember the age-old idiom; there’s more to the picture than meets the eye.
My Story
A friend of mine purchased a dress. It was a beautiful dress but unfortunately it didn’t fit her. Since I loved the dress, I offered to purchase it from her.
My decision was based on the fact that I loved the dress, it looked pretty in the box, and it was the right size.
I did try it on, but the only mirror that was available was a small wall mirror. All I could see was the top half, but what I could see looked great.
When I took it home and tried it on in front of a full-length mirror, the result was less flattering than I had pictured that it would be.
As I pondered the situation, I heard the voice of my mom remind me; “Always remember, there’s more to the picture than meets the eye.”
Although I kept the dress, it has become symbolic for me.
Each time I read a post on social media, hear something that gives me pause, or someone passes on a juicy bit of gossip, I picture the top half of the dress.
I take a moment to remember that it is probable that there’s more to the picture than meets the eye!
It’s both amazing and disturbing when you really stop to ponder all the situations about which we form opinions based on very limited information.
The worst offender is social media.
You see a picture, read the blurb, and your perception becomes gospel truth.
It’s possible to look at a picture, read the post, and assume the person has the most amazing life imaginable.
Or the opposite. You read a post and are basically convinced the world is coming to an end.
Both are extreme opinions formed solely on a photo and a thirty second clip.
Although social media is a major culprit, it’s definitely not the only contender.
Information passed on by a person who supposedly is in the know (but probably isn’t).
Opinions based on news, either from a news source or from someone who fancies themselves a news source.
Even our own personal opinions based on the limited information of an outsider looking in.
The list goes on.
Protect yourself from the unhealthy habit of opinion forming based on a small amount of information.
Picture the dress.
Realize that in almost every situation you are only seeing, or hearing, a very small piece of someone’s story. The full truth is outside of your line of vision.
That goes for social media posts, news articles, juicy gossip, and even things you see with your very own eyes.
People post what they want you to see.
News outlets write with a slant they want you to believe.
Social media platforms reward your viewing by offering you more of the same.
Keep the dress in mind!
Make it a point to seek more information.
This is true, especially where news is concerned.
Read or listen to more than one person or source’s opinion.
Look deeper into the situation.
It takes time and effort to really dig into something in order to form a solid opinion.
However, if it’s an issue that’s important to you, it’s time well spent.
Or, simply let it go.
A lot of what we hear, and see, is, quite frankly, none of our business.
It’s someone else’s personal situation and our opinion means absolutely nothing.
Read, listen, walk away, or scroll on.
But don’t give it another thought unless it’s to again remind yourself, there’s more to the picture than meets the eye.
Everyone is doing the best they can with the situation they have.
And outside opinions are usually needed or welcomed.
The next time you find yourself rushing to form a half-baked opinion, imagine yourself looking in a mirror where you can only see the top half.
Pause and recall, “There’s more to the picture than meets the eye”.