Perspective Matters

As a child, do you remember drawing a picture of your house and your family?  My house was block-ish with its walls and roof but my family members were proportional with my parents taller and each sibling smaller according to their age.  The concept of height and family order seemed to be understood.

Later, in art class, we learned about dimensions and perspective:  drawing an object with various elements larger when closer to us or smaller when farther away.

Are we taught about perspective or do we observe and replicate perspectives?

How do we understand positions further away?
(Photo:  Balboa Park Colonnade, San Diego - Larry Gardepie)

I was reflecting on the matter of perspectives when I was walking in Balboa Park a few weeks ago:  the 1915 colonnades provided a multi-dimensional labyrinth of ideas...

• We judge distance by comparing one object against another.
• Objects are in relationship to one another.
• Can the relative worth of one exist without the other?
  

Is this the same for ideas, opinions, and ideologies:  we compare and contrast; they must be in relationship; existence relies on the other?

Can "like" objects be different?
(Photo:  Wrought Iron Fence, Holland Park, London - Larry Gardepie)

As I played with these musings, I looked at both natural and human-constructed elements of our world... like flowers and weeds (both are plants); boundaries and fences (one defines; the other limits); walls and ceilings (support and cover).

A dependency of comparisons exists that support our thoughts and socially constructed realities (SCRs).  That is, what we:

• Like or don't like;
  
• Value or don't value;
• Consider to be true or not.

I wonder... is our sense of Right and Wrong taught or observed?

What is more important: the walls or the ceiling?
(Photo:  Bath Cathedral, England - Larry Gardepie)

As we begin this New Year, it may be helpful to explore another person's perspective.  What matters to me might not matter to that other person!

 

As we compare our different viewpoints, it also might be important to consider our relationships:

• Is this relationship important?
  
• Do we want to stay in relationship?
• How does this relationship provide perspective and depth?

May these days ahead challenge us to grow beyond our earlier blockish understanding and learn or observe how to appreciate other views.

 

Perspective matters!

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

Ending Reflections

Is it possible that another year is coming to an end?!  It seems like 2024 just began... and we were looking forward to the extra day (Leap Year:  February 29), Summer Olympics, and the Presidential Elections!

Now it is time to look back and reflect:

• What have we learned about ourselves?
• What could we have done differently?
• Did we show love, kindness and caring towards others?

Where has your heart led you?
(Photo: Heart in San Francisco Project - Larry Gardepie)

I have met many beautiful and wonderful people over this past year.  Our diversity in nationalities, cultures and faiths have helped me to understand something about myself:  I-Do-Not-Know-Everything.  Rather, I have so much to learn!

 

This simple admission on my part can open my mind and heart to accept another person's experiences.

What do people see in your reflection?
(Photo: Salisbury Cathedral Baptismal Font, England - Larry Gardepie)

Then, as I listen and accept others, I have found Curiosity-Becomes-Engaged.  I find that I ask more and more questions: no longer to judge against What-I-Know but to lessen What-I-Do-Not-Know.

 

I must admit, my ability to listen and ask Questions-Out-Of-Curiosity is not perfect!  But when I am aligned to a childlike quality of Wanting-to-Learn, I find life easier!

How clearly do you see The Real?
(Photo: Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, Haines, Alaska - Larry Gardepie)

The interesting part of being human is our ability to choose... to know or not know; to learn or not learn; to be kind or not.

 

In most situations, we have a choice in how we respond.  I wonder how often I -- or you -- stay on autopilot in this busy world and do not see the choices before us? 

 

As we end this Year 2024, I am curious:

• What have you learned about yourself and our world?
• What would you change or want to do over?
• How would you like to end this year and begin the next?
  

 

I would like to end this reflection by thanking you for your insights and comments this past year (through blog comments, personal texts, and emails).  I have learned from you!

 

May you stay safe over the New Year's celebrations... choose wisely!

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

Holiday Projections

Memories.... nostalgia... regrets and gratitude.  It's that time of year when anticipation, excitement, and emotions mix and collide.  What-Was, What-Is, and What-Is-Hoped-For flow from mind to heart inviting us to reflect and project:

Reflect inwardly on what has been, and

Project outwardly the needs and desires of ourselves and others.

What do you project outwardly?
(Photo: Museum of Us, Balboa Park,
San Diego - Larry Gardepie)

As in most cities and towns, ours is decorated in holiday finery and music wafts through the air no matter where we go.  Neighborhoods are brightened by twinkly lights and cartoonish characters.

This season seems different than others throughout the year: light overcomes darkness; giving conquers miserliness; hope can defeat despair.

How do you light up your world?
(Photo: Christmas Lights, San Diego - Larry Gardepie)

But, even with all of the love and cheer, there is still loneliness, bitterness, and disappointment.  There are people struggling and still looking for a room to lay down their head.  

Remember, this is a season of anticipation, excitement, and emotions-mixing-and-colliding.

Our assignment -- if we choose -- is to:

• Notice what is happening around us;
• Ask questions based on our awareness; and,
  
• Listen to understand.
  

Can you accurately reflect what is seen?
(Photo: Seaport Village, San Diego - Larry Gardepie)

Listening provides insights and tools to reflect inwardly and project outwardly another person's needs and desires while aligning them with our own.

 

If you haven't looked at Eastern Idaho News' "Secret Santa" videos on YouTube (click here), there may be ways that we can help others... not to change how they feel, but to say that we see, hear, and care.

 

Let us reflect inwardly on what has been and project outwardly what is... or could be... if we but listen and understand.  It is that time of year!

 

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

Stories Rebuilt

Some people are born Storytellers:  they know how to hold an audience with their words, expressions, and energy; they artfully weave together drama and humor; they listen and recount experiences that are relatable.  Timing is a part of their gift... when and how to unite us around Our Story.

An international audience witnessed the opening of Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral last week -- a centuries-old story of faith, triumph, destruction, and rebirth.

What story do you tell about yourself?
(Photo:  Notre Dame Cathedral facade, Paris, France - Larry Gardepie)

It was inspiring to see how the carpenters, painters, and artisans brought new life into the heart of Parish after the devastating fire of 2019.  The national pride and international celebration melted -- for a moment -- divisions that had separated us through religion, culture, and politics.

It was a blending of old and new: respecting the past by honoring earlier craftsmanship; infusing current methods to protect and strengthen; laying the groundwork to continue telling the faith story of Notre Dame.

What face do you put on your life's story?
(Photo:  Notre Dame Cathedral, July 2006 - Larry Gardepie)

Having been to Paris several years ago, I was able to understand the significance of this cathedral's place in French history.  Now, the world was being invited into this nation's story... uniting under a human story of hopes, dreams, and overcoming tragedy.

I wonder if this rebirth is about ourselves as well:  letting light through the windows of our eyes and mind to soften our hearts?

How is your life colored by the beauty of other people?
(Photo:  Rose Window, Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris - Larry Gardepie)

As we practice how to dialogue and listen to one another, maybe we are invited to:

• Respect or honor the past;
  
• Allow current ways to change and strengthen us; and,
  
• Lay the groundwork to bring us together.

The story being told right now is one of division and separation.  Are you being called to be a Storyteller that unites and encourages?

Think about it... and begin the rebirth in you.

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

Wait Patiently... and Observe!

Life changes... by the minute!  I was reminded of this recently when watching a sunset while at sea.  The day had been exceptionally cloudy, and we wondered what the sunset would be like that evening.

At first there was a dull red glow on the horizon... fuzzy but still ball shaped.

What were your first impressions
about something that happened today?
(Photo: North Pacific Sunset 4:50 pm - Larry Gardepie)

Do we stay and watch the sun fizzle below the horizon?  We decided to wait.

A few minutes later the waters became calm, the clouds started to break apart, and the red, fuzzy glow spread out along and above the horizon.  This is becoming interesting!

How long do you wait for change to happen?
(Photo: North Pacific Sunset 4:55 pm - Larry Gardepie)

Do we wait longer?  Will there be more changes to surprise us?

Within a span of 12 minutes the original fuzzy glow became a fiery display of wonder and glory.  It took a conscious decision on our part to wait (patiently!), stay present, and observe.

When have you been surprised by an unexpected outcome?
(Photo: North Pacific Sunset 5:02 pm - Larry Gardepie)

Isn't life like this:

• When we slow down, notice and reflect on a person, situation or problem... 
• Then Wait-Without-Expectations for what will happen...
  
• We discover something spectacular and Previously Unseen?

The Advent Season is about waiting... observing... and preparing for the unexpected.  

What are you waiting for?  What are you noticing?   How are you preparing?

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting