As We Are

Which do you see? The young wife? Or the mother in law?

There is a quote that says, "We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are." This statement has been accredited to Anais Ani, and to others from earlier times. Suffice it to say, it is an idiom that is rich in truth. 

I have been pondering this truth of late. As my mind meanders to judgement and criticism, I am reminded, I am seeing things as I am. I growl with derision about the driver in the car passing me only to meet at the lights, judging the driver's lack of consideration. Where is my consideration for others? Where am I breezing past others in my haste? I realize I do breeze past, not taking the time to say Hello or ask how someone is doing. 

I consider the fast pace of my walk with the dog, not patient while she sniffs the scents along our route. I am getting this walk done, in haste, not in awe or wonder. Not curious about what is different about the day. I rush through emails, missing the misspelled words. Yes, I like the driver am rushing through the world without concern for those around me and how it may impact them. 

As more snow continues to dump onto the shores of Nova Scotia, I am wrapped in my own world and not aware of the world outside of my discomfort of days on end of shovelling and spending time alone. Bored with Netflix, bored with the puzzles and reading. I see the world as I am... bored. There is nothing amazing in all of this. And yet there is much to feel amazed by in all of this if one looks for what is amazing. Amazing to still have power. Amazing to have the heat of the wood stove. 

Amazing to have the health and strength to shovel my driveway. Yes, there is much to be grateful for and much to appreciate.... but my mind, like the minds of many go to critique, judgement. To resisting what is for what we want more. 

Challenge: Look today for what gives you a sense of awe. I remember standing by a stream at a yoga training one spring and noticing the water run, the flowers in bloom and realizing, these elements of nature do not compete or chase, they just exist without comparison. And they do not suffer as humans with their judgement and criticisms do. Expand your view from judgement to appreciation and see what happens to your stress.