Art
I tutor Jongho w/ the goal of teaching him conversational English, but in return, he has taught me about art , appreciating art, and about perspectives. Jongho is a very special, sweet, smart man- he has a book published in Korea about art that is soon to be published in America. He is also a liaison btw korean artists & American curators, a writer on the psychology of art, a mentor, etc. Each time I tutor him, he enlightens me about paintings, photography, performance-art, etc. I was just perusing the MOMA website and am immersed in the author's perspectives, their styles, continuity, etc. I am realizing that my perspective is often very different than the artists' intents or that they are very similar. It gives me a new realization on life- things always have different perspectives depending on the day, attitude, experiences, physiological elements, etc. I guess that's what Plato meant in his Allegory of the Cave. Sometimes, it's necessary to change perspectives and choose to look at things in a new way. For instance, I look at Jongho not only as my student, but my teacher as well.
It also reminds me to look at life through others' perspectives- such as Alon's during this standoff or impasse that we are currently amid. That neither of us will put down our guard for fear that the other will attack is the source of exacerbating tension. Diplomacy, surrender, or a pre-emptive strike will force us to resolve the situation eventually.