Perspective

Translated with ChatGPT

"Perspective" originates from the Latin word "perspicere," which means "to see through" or "to see clearly. It has synonyms like "point of view, "the frame from which you view something" or "aspect".

We spent a few days in Seattle now. We've been to some major cities in the USA so far, but this one affected me in a different way than the others. I had understood that things were different after COVID, changes in the world economy, and the legalization of marijuana. But here, I got to see it. On street corners, in stairwells, in building alcoves, on benches, and in alleys. People openly smoke marijuana in the streets.

We passed by a person who was smoking, and I inadvertently inhaled it. I didn't find that pleasant at all. But the next day, we walked around the city a bit more, and I saw much more. People injecting substances into themselves or smoking something from a glass pipe. Individuals under the influence wandering around screaming, while others sat passively on the ground with vacant eyes. I saw a woman standing next to a tent with a bench full of belongings. I assumed she now lived there. Whether it was by choice or because she had no other options, I don't know. We saw many people with shopping carts filled with things, presumably their belongings.

All of this was so far from my world. I've grown up and lead a very sheltered life. I don't see this kind of thing in my daily life. I didn't understand it when I heard about it or saw some images on the news. I am naive and innocent when it comes to such situations. And because the unknown scares me, I become really frightened. I forget that these are people, ordinary people who have ended up on a path very different from mine. Their lives took a turn that I have never come close to.

I've complained about my challenges and stressed over things that would have been a delight for them to overcome. I was really stressed about going on a trip without my mouthwash. Some of the people I've seen here have to choose between food and drink! They don't care about the brand of mouthwash! I get stressed about using Valium to cope with a few days. Some of the people I've seen here use whatever drugs they can get to cope with EVERY day.

I've always known I'm fortunate, but I've just had a real reminder now. It really put things into perspective for me. It could have been anything that led the woman with the tent to end up there. She could have been like me four years ago. I don't know. But I really appreciated the warm shower when I got back to the safe hotel room while waiting for the hot meal I would share with my amazing husband and wonderful sister-in-law.

I usually avoid situations where I experience these differences up close. Mainly because, as I mentioned, I'm afraid in such situations, but also because I feel guilty. I have an overwhelming urge to appreciate everything I have. Everything from shoes on my feet to a roof over my head, food, clothing, good health, and above all, safety!

I assume that those who live on the streets don't feel safe in the same way I do, but I don't know. In fact, everything I've written in this post is just my perception. My opinion and my perspective. It's not the ultimate truth or necessarily reality. That's the thing about perspective. It's about where you are, where you look, and how you see it. I see it as scary, dangerous, threatening, and impoverished. I can't be sure others see the same thing. I can't be sure that the people I see experience it in the same way. But it's what I see. What I experience. And in a way, I think it was very important that I experienced it. It put things into perspective for me, or at least gave me a reminder not to forget how quickly things can change. How small things can alter the course of an entire future.

The photos of the alleys were taken on 3rd street and on 4th street. Just a few tens of meters apart. The rest of the photos were taken at Pioneer Square, with different focus and perspectives. In the last photo, you can see the woman with the tent, a tourist on a bike tour, a homeless person in a brown jacket checking the trash cans, and a public worker in a reflective vest sweeping the sidewalk. And all of this is happening at the same time, in the same square.

So for a while now, my perspective will be influenced by this experience. I'll probably look at things in a slightly different way, at least for a while. Then I might forget it and go back to seeing things as the spoiled princess that I am. And that's okay, I think. As long as I make sure to adjust my perspective from time to time.