Clear Perspectives?

So often I think that my way of thinking or seeing the world is clear... and correct!  It is as if I am looking down a corridor and can see what is ahead of me.  Everything seems so obvious!  Can't you just see it... my way?!

I forget how life is sometimes messy and unpredictable, and I forget that your experiences are just as important.

Where is your focus?
(Photo: Hotel Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA - Larry Gardepie)

I was thinking of this recently on a trip to northeastern Canada and Greenland.  In some ways, the human imprint on the environment seemed so familiar, but at times I was faced with the wonder of how humanity had adapted to such a different way of life in this harsh environment.

On tours in two separate locations, questions were asked of our young tour guides and hostesses: "What do you and your young friends do?"  The guide looked perplexed, reflected, and then responded, "We hang out with our friends."

I guess we look for The Foreign in someone else, not realizing how similar we might be... or... we want to see the Familiar and are surprised when the person reveals a different perspective.

Is this person looking at you.. or... at something else?
(Photo credit: download from Facebook, Emmy Green)

One of our stops on this trip was New York City, a place that is fascinating for me but also scary!  The energy and crush of people is sometimes overwhelming but there is a history and vibrancy that is captivating.  This duality of life and perspectives came into focus at the 911 Memorial and Museum.  Again, a guide walked us through the historical elements of the events of September 11, 2001, the aftermath, and the importance of the Memorial and Museum.

 No matter where we stood, there was silence and reverence... like walking into a cathedral and looking up in wonder and awe.  How small we are in comparison to the magnificence of Creator and what is Created!

Do we focus on the person, the flowing, or the abyss?
(Photo: 911 Memorial, New York City - Larry Gardepie)

Looking closer: we saw thousands of names -- all arranged by the connections they had with one another.  Looking outward: water and trees that spoke of life and resilience -- moving forward and upward; and the water flowing into the bottomless abyss -- places we cannot see.

I wonder:  are perspectives as clear as we think they are?

Maybe we are invited to look inward and reflect on the positions and beliefs we closely hold... and then look outward and dialogue reflectively together to understand the similarities and differences of what we see, hear, experience, and believe. 

May we remember the events of 911 and reflect on what healing might look like.

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

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