Chris and I were heading north to a tournament some years back. It was a beautiful, sunny summer day and we were observing the scenery and listening to the radio.
I thought, “I wonder what she sees?” So I asked her.
As Chris started to tell me what she was seeing, it was not what I was seeing. She noticed the clouds and their shapes, the grass, the land and mountains, the trees, the birds and even some animals we had recently passed.
I was seeing things like the homes, the vehicles, a motorcycle, a pond or two (and wondering how big the bass were in it) – all the while, observing my beautiful Ranger bass boat in my rearview and side mirrors.
Though we were in the same truck, on the same journey, looking out the same windshield, we were seeing different things.
How is it that we can all be looking at the same thing, out the same windshield, and see things so differently? Some might see this as a bad thing or something that frustrates them (me back when). If everyone would just do things “my way”!
Seeing Different Things
This morning, Chris and I spent some time via Zoom with our friends. We talked about perspectives, mainly in reference to our current situation with quarantine and social distancing, and how it was impacting each of us. It was helpful and a blessing to talk through what each of us are seeing. It helped remind me to see different things.
As a leader of my family and my business family, I have to be careful to be empathetic and feel with people. I can get so caught up in the mission that I forget. My mission in this situation is to protect, provide for and make right decisions. It would be easy for me to set aside feelings because I can see feelings as a dangerous thing. Feelings could cause me to make a bad decision. Today’s talk with our friends reminded me to feel with people.
Seeing Things Differently
Opinions and perspectives make life great for us. Even if I can’t see another’s perspective or agree with it, it can still challenge me to think about it from a different angle if I’m willing to be open.
An example would be my friend, Clyde, who saw things differently than I did about God and the death of my first son. His perspective and him sharing it with me changed my life. That’s right: one man, his words and perspective changed my family’s lives for generations.
He challenged me to wonder if my perspective was wrong. I’m so thankful that today, I realize that my perspective isn’t always the right perspective. I pray often and thank God for all He has taught me and for all I know. But my next words are asking Him to remind me of all that I do not know, and that I would remain open to learn. As I age, if I’m not careful, I can convince myself that I know a lot more than I really do.
A special thanks to Graham, Brenna and Clyde for sharing life with me. And for helping me see different things, and, to see things differently.
God bless!