Lesson 33: There is another way to look at the world.
There are two sides to every story, conventional wisdom tells us, but in reality, there are a million or more different ways to see whatever is going on around us. That’s because everyone perceives the world differently. Perception is reality, with a little “r,” for all of us.
No place is that truer than in traffic. On the way to Jubilee! Circle Sunday I nearly hit a guy turning left in front of me at an intersection. I braked and yelled, “Dude! Watch out!” while I honked. It was a huge improvement from my usual reaction to such near misses. In years past, when road rage had a firm grip upon me, I would have yelled expletives, given him the one-finger salute or even pursued him in an effort to let him know just how IN THE WRONG he had been.
My partner admonished me for my strong reaction and came up with reasons why the man may have been distracted – a family emergency perhaps or a rush to get to an important gathering. She was quick to point out other ways to see the situation besides than some dude driving dangerously for sport or to try to intentionally piss me off.
So many perspectives bandied about in such a short period of time. Later on, in our celebration service, we talked about how we can incorporate more celebration into our lives – especially celebrating the things that have gone right in our day, like NOT t-boning some guy in an intersection on the way to church.
When we get stuck in one mode of thought such as, “Hey, that jerk intentionally pulled in front of me to piss me off!”, we’ll never find a way to see the world differently and thus create a different world. By finding another way to look at the world, we can find ways to be more charitable to one another and release our judgment of others, especially when they simply make innocent errors of distraction.
I have read far too many stories, even recently, of road rage incidents that have cost people their lives or left others seriously injured. All because one wouldn’t allow the other the simple courtesy of merging into their lane or other minor traffic infractions. The ego’s need to be right – to be special, to justify its views over others’ – can literally kill us.
Instead, in those moments of frustration or anger at others and the seeming injustices you perceive that they are inflicting on you, remind yourself that there is another way to look at the world. A shift in perception is the miracle you’re seeking. Your willingness to have it happen produces it almost instantly.
When we keep our worldview locked in one place, Hafiz says we “have tied heaven’s hands behind her back and veiled her face, otherwise her lips you would know any hour you desired.”
That miracle of a changed perception is like a sweet kiss from the universe.
Maybe it’s time we become willing to pucker up.
Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels
Whom shall I kiss? Ah, Fernando My Familar, the greenhouse frog. First I must find him. Or… my beloved, who is within reach. Thank you.