Embracing Diverse Perspectives: Learning from Unexpected Moments

Have you ever found yourself in a conversation where someone holds an entirely different — and sometimes passionately held — opinion from yours? It’s not just a mild disagreement but a perspective so strong that you almost feel its pull, even questioning your own stance for a moment. Often, these discussions can become frustrating, especially when the other person is firm, or even closed-off, in their views. Why is it that these differences get under our skin?

Recently, I had an experience that brought some clarity to this question. I was traveling in a shared cab, and the driver was playing Haryanvi music — a genre I was unfamiliar with and couldn’t quite connect with. At first, the music grated on me a bit; it was loud and seemed almost alien to my Bollywood-tuned ears. I found myself on the brink of frustration until I noticed the driver’s expression. He was genuinely enjoying the music, mouthing along to every lyric, immersed in what clearly brought him joy.

It struck me then: his music choices had nothing to do with me. This was likely his mother tongue, a cultural rhythm he had grown up with. For him, Haryanvi music wasn’t just sound; it was woven into his memories and environment, likely bringing with it years of nostalgia and comfort. Realizing this, I suddenly felt a wave of appreciation for his enjoyment. His music wasn’t bad simply because it didn’t resonate with me, nor was my choice of Bollywood superior. Music, after all, is music — it’s created by artists for…