Nobody stands nowhere – especially me

How important can 2 minutes 34 seconds be?

Time can be significant – the reign of the dinosaurs was long and will always captivate me yet sometimes tiny fragments of time are also significant – the famous football coach Brian Clough said it only takes a second to score a goal. I’d like to add to that – it only takes 2 mins 34 seconds to make you question everything! This is what happened to me.

The new animated film from the Theos Think Tank ‘Nobody stands nowhere’ by Emily Downe completely stopped me in my tracks! 2 mins 34 of film stuffed with powerful questions and statements. If you haven’t seen it please do – if I was still teaching I would be using this in so many ways!

So why am I so affected by it? Is it because my way of life has been to just get on with things? Always being aware that I was never the sharpest tool in the box? Have I just not really stopped and thought about Who I am or why I am the way I am?

Could it be that I just haven’t thought about my worldview? This film has changed that.

The film opens with the narration

‘What is your view of the world? How do you see things? What makes you who you are?  On what do you base your decisions? Why did you react like that?’

Wow – all this delivered over vibrant and thought-provoking animations… suddenly I asked myself these questions for what felt like the first time, particularly the reaction one.

As the film continues more engaging material emerges – everyone has their own worldview and the lens we look through is affected by our upbringing, surroundings or religion – sounds so obvious but over the years I have never really considered the different subtle and unsubtle things which have shaped my worldview. As I look back now I can see moments in my life where shifts were made. Big changes like when my family relocated from the West Midlands to Dorset when I was 13 leaving everyone and everything I knew behind.

The film goes on to say that our worldview changes throughout life – wouldn’t it be great if we all realised and accepted that? I am not the man I was when I was 18, 21, 33, 40 , etc my worldview has changed so much. I can recognise that I was deeply unrewarding as a youth and am eternally grateful that my family and some good friends have stuck with me through that process – now my worldview is ensuring everyone I come into contact with is helped by me where possible and given the chance to flourish. As a teacher I would always advise new teachers to my school to always think before speaking and acting ‘never give a message you wouldn’t want to receive’ – some of my colleagues were permanently cross and rude to students, unsurprisingly they did not gain much respect or co-operation.

The film goes on to say that we have a personal worldview, it shapes how we live but we need to recognise the worldviews of those around us – even if we have much in common on the surface our lenses will be different and consequently our worldview will be different too – how fascinating to see and understand a different worldview to our own?

One of the final questions raised is ‘Where does truth lie?’ – so much can come from this; truth claims from religions and worldviews, media bias and enforced stereotypes, ‘knowledge’ passed down from families as well as things that directly happen to us or those we know.

This film challenges us to think about, examine and understand our worldview, then recognise the right of others to a completely different personal worldview. We need to be perfectly happy that we are all different, able to share our world with those who are different but have just as much right to inhabit the space as we do.

I think this film is an exceptional teaching aid for all phases – there are so many ways you can build from it.

Next time you have 3 minutes to spare and a cup of whichever beverage your worldview favours, please watch this and reflect upon your personal lens.