Seeing Beyond

For those who have flown on an airplane, have you noticed the difference in what you can see... whether sitting in the aisle, middle, or window seats?  For example: what you see out the window depends on how close or far away you are from the window:  the closer you are, the more you see; the further away, the view is more restricted.

In a larger sense, our perspective in life also changes by the physical, mental, or emotional distances we are to what is happening.

What do you see from your position?
(Photo: View from the Middle Seat - Larry Gardepie)

Applying this illustration to an even wider context, think about what we are experiencing in the world around us.  There is so much we don't know because we might not have the position or perspective of those closer to the situation.

That is why we rely on friends and various media sources to keep us informed.  Our time- and space-limited beings are curious about what is happening beyond the filters that govern our daily lives.

What have you seen?  What do you know?  What is important?

Is there a difference between what is close up and beyond?
(Photo:  View from the Window Seat - Larry Gardepie)

Continuing with this same airplane-position analogy, as we hurtle through space and time, our views of the clouds and landscape below constantly change.  The same is happening in this fast-paced and interconnected world: each day brings new stories, facts, opinions, and analysis.

How do we keep up and stay informed?  What do we vet or make up?  Are our conclusions up-to-date and accurate?

How do we see ourselves?
(Photo credit:  Banksy Art - Facebook download)

Why is this important?  Whether we realize it or not, the awareness that our positions and perspectives can change -- and are changing -- is important.  It affects how we see ourselves and how we dialogue (or not) with others.

If we can change our position (physically, mentally or emotionally), doesn't this mean that the other person can change as well?

In other words, awareness opens us to See Beyond our current -- possibly limited -- assumptions or conclusions about others.

Questions to consider this week:

• What sources inform and create us?
• How are these sources influencing our image of the world?
  
• Are there Questions Unasked about another position or perspective?

And most importantly:  are we aware of areas where our positions or views may need to change?

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

Clouds Illusions

Recently, we had a "Joni-Mitchell-Clouds-Illusions-type" day -- recall her 1966 hit song, "Both Sides Now."   (Click on the link to listen to the song.) 

The clouds throughout the day were magnificent! 

"Rows and floes of angel hair,
Ice cream castles in the air,
And feather canyons everywhere,
::
But now they only block the sun."

It was one of those days when Creation's Beauty invited us to slow down, notice our surroundings, and reflect on life.

Are your Life Plans all lined up?
(Photo:  "Rows and floes of angel hair" - Larry Gardepie)

Like the clouds, the song speaks to the changes and temporariness of life:  we assume we know what is the next best thing for us... then the Winds of Life blow... and we are left wondering.

"It's clouds illusions I recall,
I really don't know clouds at all."

Is it an illusion to know what's best for ourselves and others?  How do we respond when we don't get what we want?

What happens when obstacles block your dreams?
(Photo:  "But now they only block the Sun" - Larry Gardepie)

The challenge, I believe, is to dream and hope and plan... balanced with a healthy acceptance of floating and adjusting. That is, the willingness to:

• Welcome and embrace the unexpected;
• Adapt and flow with new experiences; and,
• Consider and adjust when previously unseen Truths Emerge.

Maybe that's the purpose of life: to have our dreams AND to evolve our understanding of purpose, values, and connectedness.

What don't you know?
(Photo: "Ice cream castles in the air" - Larry Gardepie)

What is beautiful about Joni's prophetic song is her repetition of the words "Both Sides Now":

"I've looked at clouds from both sides now."
"I've looked at love from both sides now."
"I've looked at life from both sides now"

It's the humble acceptance that we might not know everything right now, we must stay in dialogue with others, and our illusions (assumptions?) might change.

Let's be open to looking at both sides now!

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

Experiments with Beauty

Visiting my brother and sister-in law's house a few weeks ago, we all marveled at the roses that sparkled with newly-fallen raindrops.  The beauty and fresh scents triggered memories of Dad's roses and the gifts of flowers given on special occasions.

Each of us can describe individual awe-inspiring moments when Nature's beauty is revealed: newborn babies; a peaceful death; grand canyons; rainbows; baby chicks, puppies and kittens...  We are fortunate that so many moments exist!

Our daily lives and burdens stop for that one moment:  we are transformed by the Beauty Surrounding.

When was the last time you were transformed by Beauty?
(Photo: Red Rosebud with Raindrops - Larry Gardepie)

Then, we get on with life... the moment fades away... and we soon relegate that Transformative Moment to memories.

I wonder what would happen if...

• We sought out Beauty;
  
• We clung desperately to that Moment; and,
• We transfigured how we related to the World?

Do you think this Experiment could work?

Which rose is more beautiful?  Must we choose?
(Photo: Orange Rose with Raindrops - Larry Gardepie)

For example: what would happen if we transferred our wonder and awe to someone we loved or cared for?  As we approached them, could we let go of our Critical Mind and only see Beauty?

Or, another experiment:  can we see the Beauty and Worth of someone where there are disagreements or we experience some distance?

I don't know if this can be done or how to do it... but what would our world be like if we saw the Teardrops Sparking in the eyes of every family member, colleague, or estranged person in our life?

As the bud opens, what do we see?
(Photo: Rose with Raindrops - Larry Gardepie)

Our answers may be found in Creation:  the bud opening; the dewdrop being absorbed; new growth sprouting from rich soil.

Each reveals an action of surrender:

• The bud showcasing what is to come.
• The dewdrop nourishing.
• The soil hosting new life.

Would you like to experiment with me this week? 

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

 

 

Inside the Lines?

As a child, I remember my parents and teachers telling us to color inside the lines of the drawing.  Later on, as a second grade teacher, I instructed my students the same way... "Stay inside the lines."  (I found out later this was about hand-eye coordination and developing small motor skills.)

Even when we "lined up" outside the classroom, we were expected to line up in straight lines.  As a shorter student, this often meant I couldn't see anything in front of us!

Finally, one of our teachers had us line up in order of height -- smaller in front, taller in back.  I could now see what was in front of me, but suddenly I realized I was the third shortest boy in the class!  (Rules bring awareness!)

Do you stay "inside the lines" (follow the rules)?
(Photo credit:  Coloring Inside the Lines, Derrick Hurst)

For those of us who were taught how to drive, we learned the Rules of the Road... how to stay inside the proper lanes... when to indicate our next action... how fast we were expected to go (or not go!).

As a Country of Law and Order, these earlier SCRs (Socially Constructed Realities) molded and defined us.  We knew what to do and what was expected of us.  We were kept safe by these overlayering SCRs.

How many rules do you follow religiously?
(Photo:  San Diego Freeway - Larry Gardepie)

I believe it is healthy to have conversations about these rules, expectations, and constructed realities.  They provide context for our societal interactions.  And, as society changes, we must address new realities and guidelines.

What is disappointing, though, is how these norms are being reversed unilaterally... without discussion or input from the affected populations.  We bludgeon The Other with our own unwritten biases and self-rules.  We are Right -- They are Wrong.

Did you hear the invitation to dialogue... and listen?
(Photo credit:  Pope Leo XIV, Vatican News)

As world leaders change, there is an understanding that priorities might shift.  But did you notice the differences in how media sources covered the transition in U.S. politics and the death of Francis I, the mourning period, and the days of decision-making that culminated in the announcement of Leo XIV?

Pope Leo has called us to love, to dialogue... and to listen.  Are we ready to accept this invitation?

SCRs and the world order may be changing, but questions for us:

• Can we indicate our next actions with dignity and respect for the other?
• Whether inside or outside the lines, can we work toward trust and unity?
• How do we develop the skills to dialogue with and listen to differing viewpoints?
  

Each person holds the answers to these questions.  How do you respond?

Reminder:  Rules and Dialogue bring Awareness.

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

Perceptions' Reflections

A friend shared one of this week's comics, Pooch Cafe.  (Thank you, Ron!)  It closely tracked my musings:

• How do I see my world?
• Are there ingrained filters that limit what I see?
• When might my perceptions of people be inaccurate or untrue?

These reflections began at my youngest brother's milestone birthday celebration last weekend.  (Happy Birthday, Kevin... age purposely not disclosed!)

Through what filters do you see the world?
~ ~ Click on image to enlarge ~ ~
(Photo credit:  Pooch Cafe, Paul Gilligan, May 2, 2025)

Looking around at my siblings, nieces, nephews, their spouses, children, and Kevin's friends, I realized [again!] how much my sisters and brothers have changed since we were young and lived together with my parents.  Our journeys have diverged, and we have sought out different interests, adventures, and discoveries. (Wonderful variety and diversity!)

 

Going back even further, I recalled an assignment I gave my second-grade class: with a black marker, I created different squiggly lines on art paper.  The students were asked to use their imagination and creativity to draw what they saw in their individual squiggly line.  The results were wonderful, drawing on that person's unique views and experiences.

How do you use your imagination and creativity?
(Photo: Brian's Creative Snail, 1979)

Being a church-based school, another assignment I gave the class was to write about their favorite Bible story.  Tommy wrote about David and Goliath.  Looking back these many years, I see much of Tommy's early life in his reflected story: standing up to older brothers and a parent who minimized him.

 

I wonder:  How do these family stories and filters define our lives?  Are we constantly living or escaping these stories?  Where did Tommy take his story after he moved on with his life?

What are your favorite stories?
(Photo: Tommy's Favorite Bible Story, 1978)

As we become aware of how we see or experience the world, maybe our challenge is to show up with honesty and humility:  that is, showing up as we are today AND sharing with others the person we are becoming.

 

Our invitation -- using imagination and creativity -- is to honor the squiggly lines that began our Life's Journey and respect the variety of paths we and others have taken.

 

I am curious: where are you in your journey this week?

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting