What we see depends mainly on what we look for.
—John Lubbock (by Lock & Whitfield, public domain)
…Perception. Perhaps the most underrated word in the English language. I’m sure I have used my bumper sticker guy in a story before, but the story bears repeating. I was driving along a St. Louis interstate one year, probably around the mid ’90s, when I happened across an angry-looking driver in an old beater. As I was stopped behind him on the off-ramp, I noticed his bumper sticker. It read: “IF YOU’RE NOT OUTRAGED THEN YOU’RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION.” He was obviously taking his own advice.
Wow. Why would anyone willingly go through life in a mental state of outrage? What a life-sapping, energy-sucking drag. Ironically, the very things which “outraged” this poor fella probably elicited a very different reaction in other people. Perhaps it was a cause, or maybe a certain politician, that led him to put the sticker on his car, but he was not showing any strength of character by his position, he was showing his weakness.
“What we see depends mainly on what we look for.” Our state of mind belong uniquely to us. No matter what is happening in the external world around us, we control how we perceive what we see! Don’t be one of those poor souls who looks for ugliness and negativity. Instead, constantly be looking around for the tools needed for personal and spiritual growth; the items which will help you achieve your goals and objectives. Begin looking for the right things, and that is what you will see!
MSH, Penn Wealth
