I was inspired to talk today about the blind spots that happen in our everyday lives.
I was leaving the gym for the short walk to my office the other day, and this couple was walking right in front of me and talking about an amazing juice bar opening right next door to the gym. The juice place isn’t open yet they're still working on it, I know because I'm excited for it to open. However, what this couple said struck me, "Oh, that's too bad, it's closed down. I can't believe it’s already closed. There is a giant lock on the door and everything."
When I overheard these statements I immediately turned my head to look toward the door of the juice place because I felt like I was going crazy thinking, "I know the place hasn't opened yet." What I see is a huge sign in the window that says, "Coming soon! - Thirstea Juice Bar." Then I turn my attention back to the couple who are now trailing off in the distance but are still talking about the bad business model and why it shut its doors so fast.
So, the inspiration came and I asked myself, “How often do we not see the truth that's right in front of us?"
What if there is something blocking us from having everything that we want in our lives that we simply cannot see? What if there is something that is stopping us from opening our hearts to others that we have lived with for so long we have become accustomed to it? What if we are caught in a perpetual loop of making the same mistake over and over again like the Universe keeps trying to show us the truth but we just can’t grasp it?
Actively uncovering these blind spots in my life has opened me up to a lot of understanding. Before I went searching for them if I didn’t’ see the truth it usually slapped me across the face and was often a painful lesson. Now that I am actively seeking them, the lessons are gentler.
There are several ways to look for these blind spots, but I’ll just cover two that have worked well for me. The first is I take the time to be alone, usually go for a walk, and I’ll ask myself things like “What am I resisting?” Or “What blockages are there that I need to remove?” Or “What am I not seeing, what are my blind spots, please show me?” I wait for the response and listen to what comes back, then I trust my inner wisdom if it speaks.
When I asked myself these questions on the day of the “Coming Soon” incident, what came back was that sometimes I tend to take things too seriously. I tend not to celebrate my wins. I’m continually focused on the next challenge and when I overcome it I don’t congratulate myself, I'm on to the next one. Continually making another, and another, more and more challenges. I don't see my own value. I don't see how good I'm doing. I only look at the mountain in front of me, not how far I've come. Grateful for this realization.
For this reason and others like it, it is very imperative to have the second way to uncover these blind spots in place. It is important to know yourself and trust yourself, but also to surround yourself with positive, like-minded, evolving, conscious people. True objective and loving friends that when you ask to have blind spots pointed out when you're ready to see them, they'll be there to give you the gift of sight. They will do this in a way that is uplifting, not degrading. I have been blessed with a number of these people in my life. I found that there are a number of amazing people like this here on Steem as well.
Keep in mind that it is not only the boulders in our life that can block us from the truth but the everyday thoughts that can create lasting problems. When the mind runs with what we have to do today, of all the errands, or who hurt us, who talked to us, who hasn't called us, coworkers, goals, nagging undone tasks, these running thoughts just pull for our attention and we can literally miss that it's a gorgeous day outside. The birds are chirping, the breeze is blowing, and the sun is shining. It's springtime, with a scent of flowers are in the air. You can easily be blinded to the now, even though the now is all there is.
When we give the now and what's in front of us our complete attention, 100% of our focus, then peace can enter.
If not, we can miss what is really important. Think about the human beings who we are in relationships with, not just romantic, but the people we hold dear. Sometimes they can be saying one thing and meaning something completely different. If we don't give them our full attention and focus, we might miss it. What do they mean? What is their intention with what they’re saying right now? What do they want? Maybe they really just want to be heard. Maybe they just want someone to say it's all going to be okay. Maybe they're engaging in true conversations to bring about a new awareness, or maybe they're looking for you to make them happy. It's so easy to have these blind spots creep up and do irreparable damage because we will misinterpret the situation by not being fully present.
What are the things in your life that pull you away from the now and stop you from being grateful, stop you from fully listening to the people in your life, that stop you from fully seeing all that is and all that could be?
Good Journey My Friends
@larrymorrison A very well written piece. Thanks for the contribution
Sneaky Ninja Attack! You have just been defended with a 13.85% upvote!
I was summoned by @larrymorrison. I have done their bidding and now I will vanish...
woosh
A portion of the proceeds from your bid was used in support of youarehope and tarc.
Abuse Policy
Rules
How to use Sneaky Ninja
How it works
Victim of grumpycat?
Please begin citing the source of your photos to continue using @sneaky-ninja. According to his Abuse Policy rule 8.
Enjoyed your contemplation! And the story at the beginning is really funny. I guess we always see the world in a way that matches our current mood and inner world, and what our thoughts revolve around. We always interpret everything the way we are, that's also a reason why we are sometimes not objective in our interpretations, and miss those blind spots.