Context Matters

The definition of context is the circumstances that form the setting of an event.

Contextual definitions can lead to a shift in perspective ( Point of view ). Point of view is not static. It changes with revelation and information. A story was once told of a man traveling with two kids on a public bus. The kids were making a lot of noise and the man seemed unbothered and lost in thoughts. This raised a lot of concerns amongst other passengers and they began to complain. Some called the man a bad father. Others questioned what kind of parenting this was. Finally, a woman tapped him, yelled at him, and requested that he put the two kids under control. The man jerked back into reality, burst into tears, and revealed to everyone on the bus that he was just coming back from the hospital where he was told that his wife just died.

The anger and fury immediately tuned into pity and sadness ( change of perspective ) as everyone tried to console him. No one complained about the noisy kids again. Understanding the context of every situation is critical to producing the right reaction. All humans, by default, are quick to judge and react. The ability to jump to conclusions is inherent and needs to be cautioned. Let me give you a practical example.

Kindly read the following piece of information:

" 𝐇𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐤𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 "

What is running through your mind?

- Was it a rape scenario?

- Was it a kidnap scenario?

- Was the woman being robbed? There are a lot of possibilities to this short sentence.

Our mind quickly sieves through our past experiences and with that clouded bias fills in the gap and suggests possible explanations No matter how wide your imagination is, the truth is that we cannot be 100% certain about what is going on as regards that information until more background to the information is provided.

Now read this :

" The doctor called for anesthesia, but the nurses seemed to be taking years.

He was going to go in; every additional second those bullets spent in her body only caused more harm.

He hurriedly reached for his knife as he made frantic efforts to cover her mouth and quieten her scream.

He cut in amidst the screams and started his search. One bullet, then two. Where had she been? "

Isn't it amazing how our idea or knowledge of the entire information changed just by adding a bit more information before and after it. Let's take another example. What goes through your mind ...

..when you see someone get pregnant outside of wedlock? ( I know what goes through my mind. I can't help it, but I quickly remind myself that I do not have enough information to have an opinion ) What goes through your mind ... ... when someone comes late to a function

... when someone is caught stealing ... when someone you greeted ignored you

... when someone you went to heaven and hell for seems not to care Or a lot of other events that we observe daily.

A lot of explanations come to your mind. ( It does for me. It jumps at me ). However, In all my thoughts and internal judgments, I do not forget one fact which is the summary of this article. No matter how clear I think the situation seems, I do not have the complete information. Matt 7: 1 - 2: Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

@Farayola Praise: Farayola Praise is an analog design engineer who is trying to grow once again his once-loved passion for writing. When he is not designing integrated circuits (Chips), he is either writing codes (python), designing graphics, or spending time with God and Family. He is blessed with a lovely wife and a wonderful daughter. (farayolapraise@gmail.com) (12/30/2024)