We

You. Me. All of us. We first judge people by their appearance. Figuratively speaking: by what the cover of a book promises us.

But what comes next? Do we have the opportunity or the courage to open the book? To be disappointed? Or perhaps even to be pleasantly surprised?

Expectations

That’s understandable.

It is an evolutionarily acquired trait for our protection that we can assess a situation or animals, and among them, other people, from a distance and at first glance. This happens based on our own experiences, the experiences of others, and to a large extent, our fears.

That’s natural and nothing bad. Prejudices are normal.

Lizard Brain and Professor Brain

But what distinguishes us humans is the ability, in addition to the ancient “Fight or Flight” strategy (an ancient action strategy from a time when brain = brainstem was considered the “lizard brain”), to also make complex and conscious considerations (things that the youngest part of our brain enables us to do. The “professor brain”).

All of us, without exception, are capable of making conscious decisions and questioning our assumptions and ourselves again and again.

We can treat the stimuli of food and pain abstractly. We can weigh the hope for food against the fear of pain.

We can hope and dare.

We learn from encounters and the life stories of others.

What We See

Photography is practically only concerned with capturing an image for others.

Like a painter, we work not only with form. We also work with light and color.

When we show something to others, we primarily show what we see, what we want to see, and also a great deal of HOW we want others to see it.

What Others See

When we finish our photo and show it, our experiences, intentions, and feelings mix with those of the viewer.

Here is an impressive example on the topic.

Expectation is not Reality

Impressed?

The first time I saw that video, I was stunned.

Mainly because I found the visual impact of the individual portraits on me remarkable. And this impact is ultimately based only on the photographers’ assumptions. And not on what the model is actually like and truly describes him.

We?

What does that have to do with “We” or “Us”?

Great literature essentially has only two themes: love and the fear of death. Marcel Reich-Ranicki

We are all human. In our lives, we all essentially experience the same things.

We experience great joy. Love. Happiness. Confidence.

We experience deepest sorrow, loss, fear.

We experience health and illness.

Essentially, our stories are the same and of equal importance.

Us!

All of this connects us. It connects us, or should connect us, in a way and at a depth that should be insurmountable.

Neither our views nor our profession can differentiate us. Not education, nor our faith. Not our clothes, our income, our car. Not our origin. Not whether or whom we love. Not the color of our skin, our intelligence, or the extent to which we meet any norm in culture or medicine.

Here is a second video. This video was the impetus for these thoughts.

Dare the Adventure

You can discover wonderful and inspiring things in the people around you, those you see often and those you only see once.

And you can be just as valuable to others.

We, that is, you and I, each for ourselves, just have to allow it.

If we open ourselves up, put aside our masks a little for others, we will be less alone – in fair exchange for some perceived vulnerability.

That takes courage and strength, and it’s not always appropriate.

But I think if we allow ourselves not to be alone with our fears, we will ultimately be brave together.

Whoever allows themselves not to feel weak alone, will ultimately be strong with many.

No Royal Road

Unfortunately, I can’t give you any instructions other than: always be yourself.

What’s important is your very personal way. That’s what makes you unique. And it should determine what you reveal about yourself and to whom.

You have to feel comfortable. Because: for everything you will get back – you first invest. And that is effort and, well, vulnerability.