Believing is Seeing
Have you ever noticed that sometimes we see only what we want to see? You would think that as much focus as we are able to place in any part of our lives that we would see things clearly. That is not always the case, and I share with you a story about how easy it is to miss what is right before your eyes. Sometimes our perceptions get in the way.
Every now and then I trek down to Oregon and visit with a long-time friend. We always include at least one round of cribbage games in the visit, and this time was no exception. Our games, while competitive, are friendly. Still, uncalled points are always taken, without exception.
On this particular evening each game was close, only a few points away from either of us winning, and we were two-to-one in our match. I suggest a tie-maker game, to bring us level. After one of those head tilts and look of confusion she saw where I was coming from, and agreed to a tie-maker game.
The pressure was now on more than in the previous games. We made the first turn of the board fairly even, then the second. Then a turn of the cards gave me the lead, and this was just the opposite of what we needed to have our tie-making conclusion to the match.
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.
She responded to her loss of points by saying, I didn’t see those points, my thoughts were on the queen I threw in the crib. Those points would have, and should have, given her the game and tied our match. What happened that caused her to overlook something so obvious?
I smiled, and said, “Thank you, that goes right along with my book”. Then I rested my hand on the draft copy that was resting on the table, ready for her to read the next day. I see you’re already getting ready to read it, I shared with a smile.
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.
Sometimes, though, we step out of the way, and let a softer yet powerful image carry through, and we see with eyes wide open. There are opportunities galore in our lives, when we can see them, and many opportunities to move ahead, whether in a game or in life.
There are many ways each of us can view our own world, whether its through the eyes of bountiful, or the eyes of life challenges. We all create opportunities in our lives to open our eyes in a new perspective and change our focus.
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