An Introduction

Sometimes it's when I'm on a run, or sitting at my desk, or wandering in the park, or even when I'm in the middle of talking to a friend. It's a sudden moment of epiphany. A stark realization. A humbling lesson. A simple truth. This little thing- that no one would think twice about it "meaning something"- maneuvers its way, somehow, into revealing a life lesson. A little thing that teaches me something big. Quite simple significance, I like to say.

This unique interpretation of every-day-life-stuff being like big-important-significant-stuff happens in my mind quite often. So... I decided to start writing the simple significance down. Read it if you want. I hope you enjoy and learn and grow as I have while walking through this journey called life.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

A Situation

"Since we tend to see ourselves primarily in light of our intentions, which are invisible to others, while we see others mainly in the light of their actions, which are all thats visible to us, we have a situation in which misunderstanding & injustice are the order of the day" -JG Bennett

I don't like this situation.

Lately, I have been thinking about how it is a choice to not assume- to not judge. We naturally think things are true or label people as a certain way or "type" or make up their whole life-history in our head- putting them somewhere that we have never seen or heard just because they look or act the part. And this (mis)judgement comes so naturally... Geez!

I don't want people labeling me in their heads, talking about me behind their backs, or judging me by my "cover," which 9 times out of 10 is completely off. So I am trying to consciously not do this to others. And it takes a lot of effort. And a lot of accidently going there and later having to pull myself out. And a lot of accountability and grace.

But the moments I successfully do it, it is worth it. Seeing people in their pure, raw form- not assuming anything- is actually freeing. Approaching them with let-me-get-to-know-you because you-are-loved (and I want to love you) is actually fun (and humbling). It has made me appreciate (and love) diversity on a deeper level than I have ever been before.

Do unto others as you would like done unto you, right?! I want people to get to know my insides, my intentions. To simply see Amy for Amy, the still-figuring-herself-out/makes-a-lot-of-mistakes/appreciates-grace/loves-people/loves-adventure/loves-change me. And not assume this because of that, or that because of this.... so I (am trying to!) do this with others. To scratch the misunderstandings. To appease the injustice. To eliminate this situation. One unassuming interaction (one choice) at a time.

Remind me to keep choosing, because it's not my natural tendency. Maybe someday we won't have ourselves a whole bunch of misunderstood people living in an unjust world.
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