How We See -- What We Remember

I have almost 65,000 photos saved on my "smart phone"!  They showcase family, friends, travels, and adventures over my lifetime.  How often do I look at them?  Periodically, I go back to a certain time or event to Re-Member the people who are no longer present -- reconnecting and being grateful for how their lives shaped mine.  At times I want to Re-Enjoy an area of the world I spent vacation time -- recalling the beauty of distant lands, peoples, and cultures.

These photos are a glimpse of how I have seen and experienced my life and those who have shared theirs with me.  I am sure you have similar ways to Re-Live your life!

What do you see?
(Photo: Ceramic Tile - Larry Gardepie)

What is interesting about these photos, though, is how my Mind's Eye has changed over time -- that is, the perspective of viewing earlier stages of Life.  Looking at one photo I might wonder what was so important that I wanted to capture and save that image!  A piece of tile with wavy lines turns into an eye if it is framed in a certain way.

Childhood photos with my first film-camera portray childhood perspectives -- and reveal my height at the time!  With film-cameras we had to be judicious on how many photos we could take -- film was expensive and we didn't know if the image would turn out the way we expected.  I remember being more careful in what to capture and imprint.

How do you see the world?
~ ~ Click on image to enlarge ~ ~
(Photo Credit, Pearls Before Swine, August 25, 2023 - Stephan Pastis)

Now, with digital cameras and "smart phones," we can take as many photos as the memory can hold -- and we can instantly delete images that are blurry or didn't turn out as we had hoped.

Time, perspective, capturing and deleting -- all are caught in these 65,000 images saved in a "Cloud" somewhere!

How do you want to be seen?
(Photo credit: downloaded from Facebook - Anonymous)

What does this have to do with dialogue, you might ask?  Everything!  Our mind's eye captures countless images and thoughts throughout the day -- filtered through time and perspective; captured and remembered in the reality of our relationships and beliefs.  

Problems we face, though, in this fast-paced world: we no longer wait for the image (or thought) to be fully developed; we assume we know the outcome; and we don't always take time to talk through what we saw, heard or experienced.  That is, we don't reflect on and delete those encounters that are blurry -- those distortions that harm our relationships.

Just think... If I have almost 65,000 stored photos of family, friends, travels, and adventures, I wonder:

• How many other memories have been stored?
• Which stories and conclusions need to be revisited?
• Am I willing to delete what is blurry and abnormal?

A question we might consider this week:  how can our stored perspectives be moved from Abnormal to Extraordinary?

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

(click on link for website)

 

Peace and Goodwill to All

Traveling during the holidays sheds a different light on how people celebrate the December holy days and holidays.  I have found that many countries, cultures, families, and individuals have similar traditions... but with a personal twist that has been passed down and altered.

Most people recognize the Man-in-Red whether he is called Santa Claus or Father Christmas (English, American), Kris Kringle (American), Père Noël (French: Father Christmas), Papa Noel (Spanish: Father Christmas), Babbo Natale (Italian: Daddy Christmas), Weihnachtsmann (German: Christmas Man), Ded Moroz (Russian: Grandfather Frost), or Święty Mikołaj (Polish: St. Nicholas).

Last year during the pandemic, I came across a San Diego version:  Santa Claus on a paddle board!

How do you experience the holidays?
(Photo:  Mission Bay, San Diego - 2020)

We see decorated trees, manger scenes, and lights brightening the darkness.  Christmas or holiday music plays nonstop reminding us of religious beliefs and memories of Christmases Past.  I have experienced Christmas in the dark winter months (northern hemisphere) and the long, bright evenings of summer months (southern hemisphere).

The spirit of Christmas permeates many of the countries throughout the world.

What brightens your life?
(Photo:  Fed Square, Melbourne Australia - 2018)

Our beliefs and symbols may come in contact and in conflict with others.  For instance, I have heard some people reacting strongly when they see the word Xmas -- assuming that X is replacing Christ.  "Keep Christ in Christmas" becomes the rallying cry!  This is where we might stop, ask questions, and listen to what is in another person's heart and understanding.

In the early days of the Christian church, the letter X (Greek letter for Chi) was used as a secret symbol by Christians.  It was the first letter of the Greek word, Christ, and was used to identify believers.  Knowing the Greek meaning of X allows us to understand that Xmas and Christmas are synonymous:  we are each pointing to the Christ Mass celebrated.

How do you balance your beliefs and symbols?
(Photo: The Malecon, Ensenada - 2017)

Therefore, knowing the similarities and differences in our beliefs and symbols allows us time to reflect on our cultural or familial celebrations.  Replacing judgment with curiosity invites us to see where we feel at home... or where we might be uncomfortable.  The important question when we are ill-at-ease:  Why?

Where do you feel at home?
(Photo: Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Puerto Vallarta - 2019)

These December holy days and holidays require one thing of us:  we are invited to see and celebrate the humanity that is gifted in each person we encounter.

May this holy season bring a Pause into our lives.  May we embrace the exhortation:  "Peace and Goodwill to All!"

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

(click on link for website)

 

 

Confessions of a Masked Minority

Is it safe to say that people are tired of COVID-19 and want life to return to normal?  It seems that way!  I find it interesting -- maybe even intriguing -- as I've watched people's reactions when State or County restrictions or guidelines have changed or eased over these many months:  moments of confusion, misunderstanding, anger or acceptance.

I understand, on one level, the disruption and isolation caused by the inconvenience of this pandemic.  Not knowing what is expected or appropriate in different situations can be unnerving.  We want to know how to fit in... and be safe.

I wonder:  what have we learned and where are we, as a society, headed?  Why do we continue to struggle when someone looks or acts different than the majority?

Do you mask your thoughts and feelings?

Several weeks ago, the majority of people were wearing masks and social distancing.  Today, mask wearing is done by fewer people... at least we are seeing fewer physical masks!  (It was amazing how quickly people were ready to ditch those masks at their first opportunity!)

But, are we ready to remove the Masks Hidden by our beliefs and conclusions of others?

Change is not easy when we stay caged in the labels we place on others... or the labels that identify us.  These self-created definitions oftentimes thrive on whether we are a member of the majority or minority, the boundaries that limit and separate us.

What happens when you feel caged in?

 I don't think we can escape the affects of this past year:

• Political tensions and dysfunction
• Safety guidelines adapted to what is known or feared about the virus
• Inequities and injustices surfacing

The pandemics of power, wealth, and justice create imbalances when not shared, not earned fairly, or not allowed equal access.  Our masks and cages keep us from achieving the true human potential we all desire.

Where do you find comfort?

Comfort may come when it is okay to wear a mask -- or take it off -- without being judged.  Comfort may come when we join with others -- masked or unmasked, willingly or imposed -- to understand The Why behind the realities of being a minority, the feelings of isolation, and the chains that bind.  Comfort may come when we sit in human solidarity. 

 

Comfort also comes when we realize the independence that this holiday celebrates: the ability to live in freedom balanced with the responsibility to protect each other's independence.  After all, how important is the mask if it doesn't protect... followed by the freedom when the mask is removed because we are all safe... together?

May we have a safe and healthy Day of Independence.  May those who have a majority status learn to protect those identified as a minority.  May our definitions and labels become unmasked as we understand the reality that we are one.

 

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

(click on link for website)