Life is a plethora of experiences. Some good, others bad and a few neither good nor bad. From a subjective point of view, how we interpret an experience varies from one individual to another. Many people can have the same experience but interpret it differently.
Similarly, how much of ourself we put into an experience often determines how well we remember it or not.
What's interesting is that during bad experiences, we somehow find ourself fully immersed in it, given their intensity and emotional charge. This can make them feel more real and impactful compared to good experiences, which may sometimes feel dreamlike or fleeting.
In simple terms, a paradigm shift is an experience that fundamentally changes how we perceive and act towards reality. Sometimes, it's a series of experiences that build up to create a paradigm shift.
One of its effects is rose colored glasses are switched for yellow or blue or any other colored glasses. Of course, in certain cases, there are no colored glasses, we see reality as it is with the naked eye.
The latter is the true essence of a paradigm shift, while the former is mostly variations of it.
Paradigm shifts act as gateways to a broader and deeper understanding of reality. They challenge our existing assumptions and expose us to diverse perspectives, pushing the boundaries of what we consider "real" or "true."
When we look back in history, an important paradigm shift was when we moved away from believing that the Earth is at the center of the universe.
This was the perceived reality for quite some time, until Copernicus' heliocentric model.
challenged the prevailing paradigm.
Understandably so, the established majority vehemently rejected this new model, because it forced humanity to confront and re-evaluate our place in a vast and seemingly infinite universe.
However, the reality was eventually accepted as both Galileo and Kepler expanded on the heliocentric model and Isaac Newton putting the final nail on the coffin with his discovery of gravity.
For me, one of my first paradigm shifts was having a first hand experience of seeing and feeling the death of a close relative. This mysterious phenomenon that makes a human body cold and lifeless, never to be reanimated again was something that I only heard of before.
Now, seeing the whole process unfold in front of me rewired my perception of life and mortality. For one, it forced me to confront the impermanence of existence and the preciousness of each moment, which challenged my previous understanding of life as a joyous and endless journey.
And this was replaced with a deeper appreciation for the finite nature of our being and why time is really precious.
Paradigm shifts also bring about newfound awareness that fosters a deeper understanding of complex phenomena, as we gain new frameworks for interpreting information and experiences.
In a way, making your first million can be a paradigm shift, especially for someone who comes from humble beginnings. It challenges your previous understanding of what's possible and forces you to re-evaluate your limitations.
However, the pursuit of wealth, while potentially transformative, can be fleeting. Material possessions bring temporary satisfaction, they lack the enduring impact of paradigm shifts triggered by experiences.
Experiences, unlike objects, have the inherent potential to trigger paradigm shifts. Since they are dynamic and often involve us actively engaging with the world around us. This engagement can leave a lasting impression on us.
When a paradigm shift happens, it's not just a change in perception. But also a doorway to a whole new way of being in the world.
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