"It is a small world"

globe
Originally uploaded by Haridim

Before you think anything else - no, I'm not turning this blog into an e-diary and I don't plan to. I won't talk about how I met someone whom I haven't seen since 10 or so years, saying "It's such a small world!"

Simply because it is not a small world.

The world is huge. The people/ ideas given by people you could see is a very big number, one that would surpass this entire post.

Let's take for example the ideas first - book plots. I've visited some sites about writing recently and they claim the same thing: everything has been done before. No matter what you think of, somebody has thought of it already. Or, let's say you're into fashion - golden rule, know the previous fashions. Why? Because you never know what old idea could become new again (but when you do, you'd already know what to do).

But enough about ideas. Let's talk about people. You know how you met that guy whom you stopped seeing years ago..? I bet you were like "Oh my god! It is such a small world! I didn't think I'd see you again!" and then continue saying random stuff that don't really matter and that in no way will make the person want to see you again. He/she probably won't want to see you again, no. Why is that? Because you haven't changed. Because he hasn't changed. That's truly the reason why you met again. And why you won't meet again. Both of you are the same people. You had something in common once and you still have. That's why you eventually bump into each other again. But, if he or she had a reason to stop seeing you... then don't expect much (ofc, sometimes it's just "I don't know why we stopped seeing each other").

"Yes, but I met him at a bus stop!"

That might be because you live in the same town. It's a small chance yes, a very slim one, but consider the fact you haven't bumped into him for 10 years, when you could've. 10 years, that's 3650 days. How many times a day you pass by a bus stop a day? Yup, it's only a matter of time.

The world is not small. Man, however, and his perception of the world, are. A person doesn't change, even though he could so easily. All he has to do is be fair to himself. And don't go on telling me about how it's that hard to do as a task. It isn't. You're probably working/ studying with a lot of people together. I bet you speak a lot with only 1/10 of the people. Do an experiment.

Let's say you think you have a great dressing style. Not saying that you don't, but do this experiment. Go to somebody who is outside your usual group and ask him/her what he/she thinks of your clothing. Then, before he (or she) says anything, repeat at least a couple of times that you need an honest and fair opinion and not just "It suits you" usual answer. Repeat it a couple of times, so it gets into his head. Then listen carefully. Now, it might not be as good as you would imagine. It might be good, but it might have some remarks. Listen carefully and try to understand why he thinks so. Don't start yelling at him/ her, but instead say a "Thank you" and think for a while. Just an example of how you could change your view, widen your world. Accept criticism.

That's all it takes to change. But nobody does it. It's considered impolite. People are rarely objective. Oh no. It's so much easier to think you're quite well in everything you're doing. After all, you're not seeing any mistakes, right? It must be good... And is it your fault that the world suddenly shrunk?

P.S. Thanks are due to brainwagon, who originally uploaded this picture on some blog, so that I could access it from Google.