The Painting

Once there was an artist. Not the best artist in the world, but an artist none the less. She painted a picture. Not the best painting ever created, but a painting none the less. She hung the painting and invited anyone who would like, to come and see it on a particular day. No one was forced to come. No one was forced to look at the picture. She even provided cheese and wine to all visitors free of charge.

Many came to see the painting.

Some appreciated its beauty. Some appreciated the brush strokes used to create it. Some were moved by it simply because it sparked a pleasant memory in the recesses of their minds.

Some were challenged by what they saw.

Others did not like it at all. They claimed it was too simple, not creative enough and were not moved by it in any way.

Still others went so far as to say they were offended by the painting and insisted that it be taken down while they helped themselves to some more cheese and wine.

One painting. Numerous responses.

The only truisms about everyone who saw the painting were these: They all saw it through their own eyes. They all brought to it their own experiences, histories and baggage. And they all thought their opinion of it was the right opinion.

I'll leave the morals and analogies to you.