Believing is Seeing
Everyone has had a time when they have overlooked something right in front of them. How often does it come down to a matter of seeing what we think we should see, or want to believe? I have a story to share with you about that very topic: seeing what life has to offer, and realizing that perception does not always give us everything that is available to us.
On a recent trip to Oregon I spent a pleasant evening playing cribbage with a long time friend. Our games have the competitive spin, but we always make them fun as well. This friend happens to be very good at cribbage, and rarely misses any points, and is exceptionally good at grabbing my points missed.
This series of games had a very even matched quality, ending within only a few points difference. When the third game gave its two-to-three score, it was decided to have a tie-maker so we could end the match with both of us winning.
We proceeded into the fourth game, but pressure was now on us as to who must win. We stayed nose-to-nose about half way around, then a sudden shift sent me ahead. This was not helping us reach the desired outcome!
As we neared the finish my friend had a chance to catch up, but when she counted what could have been her winning hand she missed points. Fair is fair, so I called them and took them.
This was an unusual event, watching her miss not just one point giving combination but two of them. Yes, I know, she said, I had my attention on the card I threw away earlier in the game. Not only did she stay stuck on what she had lost, but she carried that feeling of loss into the hand she kept, and couldn’t see what was right under her nose.
The great part of our game is that its ending fit so closely into our conversations that evening. I brought with me a copy of my new book, Now is the Time to Believe, and one of the topics I cover is how easy it is to limit what we are able to see.
Its important that we have the ability to see what is important to see, and filter out the rest. This seemingly automated system does not always work in our favor though. Sometimes we miss what is right before our eyes, overlooking what we want because we are overwhelmed with what we believe.
Seeing all that life has to offer is a choice, a privilege, and magical tool in life that gives us the opportunity to live a rich, fulfilling life. Seeing all that life has to offer gives us the stepping stones that lead us to new adventures, greater knowledge, and higher level understanding.
What do you see in your own life? Are you happy with the way things are, or do you sometimes feel that things are not flowing in your direction? When our mind is set in one direction it is difficult to see in a different light. But it is easy enough to turn this around, clear our minds, and find a new perspective.
Tags: Alcohol, blind, family, focus, miracle, perception, personal growth, religion, self awareness, self help, spirit, spirituality, vision
