Are you seeing all that’s there to be seen? And feeling all that’s there to be felt?

I mentioned in the last post a great little book, This is Water, by David Foster Wallace.  I endorse this book wholeheartedly, in fact.  I’m personally convinced that most of us don’t see the world in all it’s splendor.  We are like the fish just swimming along quite mindlessly. When looking around, whether in the company of friends or strangers, we are consumed with the “drivel” in our minds.  I have to remind myself that whom ever is before me is my “gift” to be opened, now.

I don’t say this as a way to guilt you and me.  Being “self-absorbed” is simply one of the characteristics of being human.  And seeing every one else in relationship to us, and our behavior, is how we were taught to see. Remember your mother saying, “What will the neighbors, (or your grandmother) think?” I certainly do.  The behavior we can cultivate if we put our minds to it is to see every one else as “holy” and with purpose on our path.

Self-centeredness is an insidious habit that can be broken.  It’s a decision we can and must break if we want to experience life more fully. I read a book by Ram Dass more than three decades ago that was titled: Be Here Now.  The gist of the book was about seeing this moment only.  Seeing it fully.  Being immersed in it much like the fish in Wallace’s book were immersed in the water but didn’t really see it or feel it.  It’s a shift in perception.  Subtle. Yet very profound.  One that will change every thing about one’s life from this day forward.

We can’t change life-long habits completely, after one attempt, but we can make progress immediately.  Every time we are “lost in our thoughts,” we can take a deep breath and come back to the moment. We can open our eyes, our minds and our hearts to whomever is standing before us. We can honor them, their spirit, their message for us, and the time we are being given to share.

Living from this perspective is a departure, for sure, but one that will thrill you. That’s been my experience, at least.  But I must warn you: It does take effort, daily commitment, willingness, discipline, and the ability to forgive yourself every time you fall back into the old habit. Just pick yourself up, when that happens (and it will) and begin again.