I can confess without discomfort that I am a bit odd to most way of thinking. I’m fine with that because it’s who I am. I am eagerly reading about how the Middle Ages were formed according to our modern since of history; Tolkien’s iambic pentameter is something that strikes my ear as great beauty, I nearly always have a camera with me and take around 3 to 300 pictures a day. There are enough pre-conceptions out there that this has not always been something that was comfortable. High school yearbooks have the words “so sweet” in them so much that I remember wiggling up my nose at the words. Sweet? Really – that seemed like such a cotton candy, melted and non-consequential word. But, truth be told I really wanted to be able to feel like I fit.
It wasn’t until later that I started feeling more comfortable in my skin. History, love it! That’s okay, that’s just me. Yes, I will sing in the store and may have odd bits of songs running through my head at whatever you said. I get absolutely thrilled when I can master a difficult piece of software or understand statistical analysis. That just makes my day!
We are all made uniquely, different from each other. We probably all hear someone tell us when we are younger that if the entire world were alike it would be a terribly boring place. Well, yes that is probably true. However, we continue to seek out and match up our similarities. Let’s celebrate our unique propensities.
Showing posts with label perception. Show all posts
Showing posts with label perception. Show all posts
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Repetitive History
I’ve been really enjoying a new book about how the history of the Middle Ages as we know them came to be. What has really amazed me about this is how some of these historians and their accompanying philosophies had a tunneling effect, one reflecting the other back and forth over and over. In the end, their entire world was filtered through these ideals and they started to formulate their current ideas of government, ethics, societal structure, and economics based on an empire of the 11th or 12th centuries.
I love history. I love studying history, especially the Middle Ages. It’s not just the romanticized ideals of chivalry, knights, and codes of honor. Instead, it’s more of the massive changes and upheaval that people went through and how they very much prepared the foundations of our own world. Still, I also understand that I cannot make the world around me function like the world at that time.
Our filters and perceptions of what reality is and should be, is not only influenced by historical and cultural mores. It is also impacted by our personal decisions, expectations, families, and other circumstances. We then look out at the world around us and it is as if we are wearing glasses that change the way that we see. For these historians, it was viewing the world through the records about the empires of Frederick II, Otto III, and the common law foundings of the British Empire. For you, it may be television, books, family, friends, work, etc… In the end, we have to be careful what filters we put in front of us, to choose those which are wise and good.
I love history. I love studying history, especially the Middle Ages. It’s not just the romanticized ideals of chivalry, knights, and codes of honor. Instead, it’s more of the massive changes and upheaval that people went through and how they very much prepared the foundations of our own world. Still, I also understand that I cannot make the world around me function like the world at that time.
Our filters and perceptions of what reality is and should be, is not only influenced by historical and cultural mores. It is also impacted by our personal decisions, expectations, families, and other circumstances. We then look out at the world around us and it is as if we are wearing glasses that change the way that we see. For these historians, it was viewing the world through the records about the empires of Frederick II, Otto III, and the common law foundings of the British Empire. For you, it may be television, books, family, friends, work, etc… In the end, we have to be careful what filters we put in front of us, to choose those which are wise and good.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Mayella
Her hands were dirty, her clothes mussed, her countenance plain and without any adornment. Her home was full of broken things, mismatched furniture, chipped and peeling paint. Her life was much the same. The people who saw her judged her and excluded her. The people she saw she judged and she excluded them. It left her without much hope for change and very alone. In pots, flaking and damaged, there were red geraniums, carefully tended to. Amidst the squalor and terribly sad conditions, there was some part of this young woman crying out for beauty.
She had a beautiful home. Every spot perfectly designed, every item in place. Her clothes were at the peak of fashion, moving with the seasons. Her life appeared much the same. The people who saw her judged her and included her to maintain their political status. The people she saw she judged for their lack of decorum and her rampant paranoia that they do not really care about her. She was surrounded by beauty and crying out for true friendship.
She was the ungraceful misfit. She was always seemed to trip over her own feet, said the wrong things, and never knew which fork she was supposed to use. She wanted to please so badly that people took advantage. Then in a fit of anger and the abuse, others would shun her. The people who saw her judged her for her awkwardness and discomfort. The people she saw she judged for how she thought they perceived and used her. She was surrounded with discomfort and crying out for an elegant dignity.
She was the graceful one, the one full of talent. She could seem to do anything with ease and confidence. Inside, she felt completely unsure and checked and rechecked her stage presence of life to make sure that the character she was playing was maintained. The people who saw her judged her for her seeming stress-fee and laissez faire life. The people she saw she judged for how she perceived herself, not for how they saw her. She was capable and polished and crying out for reality.
She was a young woman in a book, a story character, or is she?
She had a beautiful home. Every spot perfectly designed, every item in place. Her clothes were at the peak of fashion, moving with the seasons. Her life appeared much the same. The people who saw her judged her and included her to maintain their political status. The people she saw she judged for their lack of decorum and her rampant paranoia that they do not really care about her. She was surrounded by beauty and crying out for true friendship.
She was the ungraceful misfit. She was always seemed to trip over her own feet, said the wrong things, and never knew which fork she was supposed to use. She wanted to please so badly that people took advantage. Then in a fit of anger and the abuse, others would shun her. The people who saw her judged her for her awkwardness and discomfort. The people she saw she judged for how she thought they perceived and used her. She was surrounded with discomfort and crying out for an elegant dignity.
She was the graceful one, the one full of talent. She could seem to do anything with ease and confidence. Inside, she felt completely unsure and checked and rechecked her stage presence of life to make sure that the character she was playing was maintained. The people who saw her judged her for her seeming stress-fee and laissez faire life. The people she saw she judged for how she perceived herself, not for how they saw her. She was capable and polished and crying out for reality.
She was a young woman in a book, a story character, or is she?
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Through the Looking Glass
Have you ever wondered if the dream is real and real is the dream? I did when I was a child, waking up and in the blurred edges between the tatters of a vivid dream and being fully awake. I would wonder which were real. I sometimes still have vivid dreams, but rarely get lost between the two worlds in my mind. However, there is another perception that I would think is still some value to examine, and determine if it is the waking or dreaming world. Are we who we are or who we are perceived to be? Or more confusing yet, some combination of both?
If we could look through the looking glass and see how people perceive us, would that change how we perceive ourselves? It might be an ego boost or bust, it might make us realize our own perceptions and encourage us to seek out the reality.
What kind of perceptions am I talking about? Well, I’ll give my own example… I made a new friend last year. This woman looked confident, poised, each hair in place, smile perfectly happy, and at ease in her own skin. I thought, oh I hope she isn’t my group because she just looks so put together! That was my perception. The reality was that behind the beautiful smile and adorable hair-do was a woman who was just as cluttered and complicated as I was. She had struggles, disappointments, failures, hopes, dreams, and plans. She had to-do lists that were too long and hurts that were stinging her heart. She had beautiful peals of laughter and a tender heart and wasn’t what I thought she was at all.
If you could poke your face and heart through the looking glass and get a good look around, perhaps the perceived person would take on different shades of personality.
If we could look through the looking glass and see how people perceive us, would that change how we perceive ourselves? It might be an ego boost or bust, it might make us realize our own perceptions and encourage us to seek out the reality.
What kind of perceptions am I talking about? Well, I’ll give my own example… I made a new friend last year. This woman looked confident, poised, each hair in place, smile perfectly happy, and at ease in her own skin. I thought, oh I hope she isn’t my group because she just looks so put together! That was my perception. The reality was that behind the beautiful smile and adorable hair-do was a woman who was just as cluttered and complicated as I was. She had struggles, disappointments, failures, hopes, dreams, and plans. She had to-do lists that were too long and hurts that were stinging her heart. She had beautiful peals of laughter and a tender heart and wasn’t what I thought she was at all.
If you could poke your face and heart through the looking glass and get a good look around, perhaps the perceived person would take on different shades of personality.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
A Whale of a Minnow
I was listening to the radio the other day and someone brought up how it is often not the whales in life that really are a threat, instead it’s getting nibbled to death by minnows. I loved the imagery that brought out in my head and it reminded me a of a notebook I had had in high school. There was a saying on the front, something like “Any idiot can face a crisis, it’s the day to day living that really wears you out.”
I won’t go far as to say that everyone can face a crisis, but it really is the minnows that show you who you are and what you are made of. Minnows might be taking on a task you would really rather not. If I complete it and complete it well, that is a demonstration of my character. If I do not care to do the dishes, because it is not a favorite chore, then doing them anyway and doing them well is dealing with the minnows. Probably I get more nibbles on minnows that are about planning and perception than dishes. I like plans and to have a clear understanding of what is coming next. When that isn’t there, in some circumstances, I can feel myself grow frustrated, anxious, or a combination of both. Perception is another minnow area for me. I am single and over thirty and have actually been asked – “Why aren’t you married yet?” From which I perceive the intended or non-intended question to actually be, what’s wrong with you. How do you even answer that question? I always wait for someone else to have the same stunned look on their face as I do, but sadly they almost always look interested in the answer. Then the minnows come and nibble. Why do they think I’m not married yet? Why is there always a yet at the end of that sentence? Why is that even being asked? What are they thinking about me? You can imagine, this gets into quite the cycle until the minnows are forming their own little watery whirlpool about my head.
But, before I go down the minnow whirlpool of perception, I try to remember that this is just a minnow nibble. This is not being eaten by a whale. I brush the minnows away and move on.
We all have minnows. They are the pesky people, attitudes, frustrations, dislikes, and pet peeves of our life. As a group they can do some serious damage. So, we need to keep the minnows under control.
I won’t go far as to say that everyone can face a crisis, but it really is the minnows that show you who you are and what you are made of. Minnows might be taking on a task you would really rather not. If I complete it and complete it well, that is a demonstration of my character. If I do not care to do the dishes, because it is not a favorite chore, then doing them anyway and doing them well is dealing with the minnows. Probably I get more nibbles on minnows that are about planning and perception than dishes. I like plans and to have a clear understanding of what is coming next. When that isn’t there, in some circumstances, I can feel myself grow frustrated, anxious, or a combination of both. Perception is another minnow area for me. I am single and over thirty and have actually been asked – “Why aren’t you married yet?” From which I perceive the intended or non-intended question to actually be, what’s wrong with you. How do you even answer that question? I always wait for someone else to have the same stunned look on their face as I do, but sadly they almost always look interested in the answer. Then the minnows come and nibble. Why do they think I’m not married yet? Why is there always a yet at the end of that sentence? Why is that even being asked? What are they thinking about me? You can imagine, this gets into quite the cycle until the minnows are forming their own little watery whirlpool about my head.
But, before I go down the minnow whirlpool of perception, I try to remember that this is just a minnow nibble. This is not being eaten by a whale. I brush the minnows away and move on.
We all have minnows. They are the pesky people, attitudes, frustrations, dislikes, and pet peeves of our life. As a group they can do some serious damage. So, we need to keep the minnows under control.
Friday, February 26, 2010
The Greener Grass
The Greener Grass
Have you ever heard that expression that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence? This looks pretty good, but over there in that yard they have had a lawn service and wow is it lush and so green. I could just walk around in that barefoot for hours and it would feel so good…
I think that there was a mom once upon a time that dreams of greener grass for her songs. “Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons, and kneeling down, asked a favor of him,” (Matthew 20:20). Here was a mom who had an idea of greener grass. And, really – who could blame her? She has caught the idea of Jesus as the son of God and wanted something great for her sons.
“‘What is it you want?’ he asked. She said, ‘Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.’” This is a mom who wants greener grass for her sons and perhaps for herself.
Jesus points back the spotlight onto her own grass. “‘You don’t know what you are asking,’ Jesus said to them. ‘Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?’ The grass, it’s not so green right here. In fact, it’s full of moles, thorns, and weeds. Don’t walk barefoot because your feet are going to get cut! But, that grass still looks really good and green, so the answer comes. “‘We can.’”
What cup is that? In this case, the cup is the acts in the coming days, the terror and horror of each moment. Instead, the reply came, “‘You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or let is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.’” Sorry, that grass isn’t for me to share. I am respecting the authority of the one who owns the grass.
The grass, the perception of something better, it’s not such a bad thing. Yet, in this case there was a loss of focus in yearning for the green, the better. Sometimes, you have to take stock of your grass realistically and learn first to work and remove the weeds through hard work first.
I think we all do that sometimes. And not necessarily for things, but sometimes for situations. Wow, I would love to have that family, home, relationship, child, job, opportunity, skill, education, dream, ability, etc… I wish I could have that kind of patience, faith, hope, trust, love… I can’t say that I have ever yearned for the right or left hand of God in his kingdom. But, there are other things I have wished, pined, ached for. Yet, the cup, the path, that God has prepared for me is a special one, a unique one. I need to trust that the grass is just the right patch of grass for me right now. Dig in, weed, and make it as best as I can.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
The Surprising Lack of Passivity in Meekness
I’m not someone who craves the lime-light, limes never were my favorite fruit. Instead, it is working behind the scenes and watching it all fall together that I really enjoy. When someone can stand on the outside and partake of a project or event and think that it was so easily participated in, I am in my moment of really enjoying that time. Some people think that because of that I am just a super quite person, and though I can be quiet I’m not really a super quiet person. Give me that one on one quality time and I will jump right into the conversation.
Anyway, being quiet some people think I must be this wonderfully meek individual and I have come to realize that that has some very interesting, though odd undertones that come with this. Meek, you might have heard and are thinking about “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.” That actually comes out of Matthew 5 and is part of the Beatitudes or what I like to think of as the Be Attitudes. Let me set the stage by saying that Jesus has seen crowds of people who are coming to hear him. So, he goes up on a mountainside and sits down. Then, when his disciples come to him, he starts teaching them….….
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
You might be stopping and scratching your head and pausing – what, did that say it’s blessed to be falsely accused? But, let’s not lose sight of our focus for this particular moment. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
Meek here seems to kind of represent a lamb to the slaughter, powerless and totally passive type of response. “Oh yes, I will inherit the earth if I just act as a doormat for everyone who comes my way.” No way! Meek is someone who is humble, gentle, and modest. God is not a timid God, yet his children which are meek may be labeled in just that way – timid, scared. Let’s check out a different context though, this one is from Zephaniah.
Zephaniah issues a warning, a destruction is coming because people have turned away from God. There are a few chapters describing the upcoming consequences and justice that will be taking place. However, Zephaniah 3 goes on to describe the future of Jerusalem. Jerusalem, personified here, is warned that by not accepting correction, not trusting and drawing near to God that there are consequences. Rulers are corrupt, resources are not well spent, and the law is not obeyed even by those in power. God cautions them that he has tried correction and they have spurned it, always a dangerous thing to do. This isn’t because God is vengeful over their reaction, but because he loves enough to keep trying. In that trying, there is a promise that over the land, there will be change. With that change will be a removal of the pride, the removal of that sin and arrogance. Instead, “I will leave within you the meek and humble, who trust in the name of the Lord,” (Zephaniah 3:12). These are going to be the new leaders, the new law makers, the decision makers. These are the people who are going to work together, unafraid because of the great trust they have in the Lord. It takes activity, not passivity to trust, to act, to withstand the difficulties in those dark times. These were the people who were withstanding the arrogance, lies, treachery of leadership. That is not a passive thing. Yet, they were not seeking the limelight either, instead they were humble and returning the praise to God.
So, if someone thinks that because I’m quiet, I’m meek they are rather off the mark. But, it is something I can aspire to.
Anyway, being quiet some people think I must be this wonderfully meek individual and I have come to realize that that has some very interesting, though odd undertones that come with this. Meek, you might have heard and are thinking about “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.” That actually comes out of Matthew 5 and is part of the Beatitudes or what I like to think of as the Be Attitudes. Let me set the stage by saying that Jesus has seen crowds of people who are coming to hear him. So, he goes up on a mountainside and sits down. Then, when his disciples come to him, he starts teaching them….….
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
You might be stopping and scratching your head and pausing – what, did that say it’s blessed to be falsely accused? But, let’s not lose sight of our focus for this particular moment. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
Meek here seems to kind of represent a lamb to the slaughter, powerless and totally passive type of response. “Oh yes, I will inherit the earth if I just act as a doormat for everyone who comes my way.” No way! Meek is someone who is humble, gentle, and modest. God is not a timid God, yet his children which are meek may be labeled in just that way – timid, scared. Let’s check out a different context though, this one is from Zephaniah.
Zephaniah issues a warning, a destruction is coming because people have turned away from God. There are a few chapters describing the upcoming consequences and justice that will be taking place. However, Zephaniah 3 goes on to describe the future of Jerusalem. Jerusalem, personified here, is warned that by not accepting correction, not trusting and drawing near to God that there are consequences. Rulers are corrupt, resources are not well spent, and the law is not obeyed even by those in power. God cautions them that he has tried correction and they have spurned it, always a dangerous thing to do. This isn’t because God is vengeful over their reaction, but because he loves enough to keep trying. In that trying, there is a promise that over the land, there will be change. With that change will be a removal of the pride, the removal of that sin and arrogance. Instead, “I will leave within you the meek and humble, who trust in the name of the Lord,” (Zephaniah 3:12). These are going to be the new leaders, the new law makers, the decision makers. These are the people who are going to work together, unafraid because of the great trust they have in the Lord. It takes activity, not passivity to trust, to act, to withstand the difficulties in those dark times. These were the people who were withstanding the arrogance, lies, treachery of leadership. That is not a passive thing. Yet, they were not seeking the limelight either, instead they were humble and returning the praise to God.
So, if someone thinks that because I’m quiet, I’m meek they are rather off the mark. But, it is something I can aspire to.
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