There are many things we can learn from others. One of the best avenues for learning can be in simple exchanges with people with differing or unique viewpoints. A simple exchange in a coffee shop can open doors you’ve never pictured happening before.
As humans, we’re naturally social creatures. Speaking has always been a necessity. Verbal communication was how our ancestors communicated danger or expressed simple emotion. We thrive of each other. We learn through hearing other people’s wins and losses. We learn about other cultures by having conversations with those who live within them.
One such example is a conversation I had with a coworker who was originally from Iraq. Within our exchanges, he told me about his life there. I had a basic idea of was Iraq was and some of the turmoil happening there, but it wasn’t until his first hand account that I truly began to grasp the woes he had experienced. The true beauty of his home country, and some of the not so pretty aspects of it. It was eye opening and gave me a whole new view on Iraq.
It can be reinvigorating to have a discussion with someone with a differing perspective. Give you insights you never before pondered, new material to examine, and possibly, an entirely new outlook on life.
