No matter what opinion you express, I am totally right and you are wrong. I know what I see and you can not convince me that it is any different than the view I see with my own two eyes.
Sometimes people are unwavering in their point of view. It is impossible to have a rational discussion with them because their mind and ears are closed. The conversation never happens and therefore compromise and understanding are impossible.
Parents often exhibit this type of behavior in the relationships with their children. Have you ever tried to offer parenting advice or an alternative solution to a mother or father? Not a good idea most of the time even if you have experienced the EXACT same situation with several of your own children.
Close-mindedness.
This attitude is not limited to just parents. People of every nationality, gender, belief system and age practice this pride-filled trait. Close-mindedness prevents us from experiencing the fullness of life.
I was outside the other day and it was scorching hot under the extremely bright midday sun. I impatiently waited on Alyssa to finish primping inside, but it was almost too hot to stand outside more than a few minutes. I don’t sweat usually, so I was ready to go back inside to the cold air condition rather quickly.
Looking down at my glasses I could see the reflection of the sun, clouds and sky. It was really pretty and I could even tell that the sky was a vivid blue. Just then I heard Alyssa walking closer.
“Look at the sky Mom. The clouds are awesome,” Alyssa said.
“I did.”
“No, look now Mom!” she insisted.
Glancing down at the reflection in my glasses, I said, “I’m looking right now Alyssa.”
Realizing how I was looking at the sky, Alyssa made a profound statement, “If you aren’t willing to look at the sky differently – my way – you are going to miss out.”
Obviously, I looked up.
Alyssa was right in more ways than one.
The sky was a vivid assortment of blues with puffy clouds that were not only white, but also had bluish hues. The sun was shining through some of the clouds and illuminated others around the edges. It was a sky that seemed so big and deep that I felt small.
I would have missed a breathtaking sky if I had insisted on only looking at it my way – as a reflection in my sunglasses.
What real reason did I have of not looking at the sky from Alyssa’s point of view?
Why do people insist on not listening or looking at another person’s view point?
Is it pride?
Laziness?
Intolerance?
Selfishness?
Maybe people are uncompromising because they exhibit a combination of some or all of those emotions. How much do we all miss because of our “in the box” view?
Hmmmm…I fear it is probably far too much.
You can keep looking into the upturned lens of the sunglasses, but look up at the sky every now and then too. You may be surprised at what you see.
melody-mae says
oh, I loved this! How true too, that sometimes we totally miss something that is truly beautiful because we refuse to look at it through the eyes of a child or an elder!
thanks for this post.
melody
Teresa Wilkinson 1984 says
You are so right. Beautiful pictures I am glad you listened and shared
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Carolyn Watson-Dubisch says
Thank you! What a great post. 🙂
Blue Cotton Memory says
Awesome post, Red! Beautiful photos!!! Beautiful message!