Several weeks ago, my husband and I attended Italian Renaissance Alive at Biltmore in Asheville, NC. It was a multi-sensory, immersive experience. The main room included smells of the time period and brightly-colored paintings on the walls and floor. Some of the paintings also included motion, which added a new dimension.
It was interesting to watch what was going on around us, but also to see how people responded. Some were totally enthralled; others roamed the room as if confused and dazed by the changing, moving pictures amid the darkness.
Each of us perceives what we see differently. Some are so focused on their next appointment, chore, or deadline they never see on a deeper level.
Following are thoughts on seeing and perceiving:
Frustration and Hurt
While attending our grandson’s baseball game, I saw a harried mother verbally take out her frustration on her own mother. I was surprised and embarrassed for the grandmother, but also wondered if this display of anger was more than a one-time event. The grandmother was there to help. Instead, she was a target.
Do you see anger and wonder about the source? Can you think of times when you have responded with anger? Did you later wish you hadn’t and apologize to the one in your crosshairs?
Life is often challenging, but those closest to you shouldn’t be the target of your anger. Take steps today to determine sources of anger and find a better way to deal with your frustration.
Beauty
Beauty is all around us. God created a colorful, bright, multi-sensory world for us to enjoy, yet we are often so busy we don’t stop to experience the beauty around us. If every day on your calendar is filled, you are doing too much. Perhaps you need to let some activities go so you can take time for beauty.
Part of experiencing beauty is the peace it brings. For you, beauty may involve nature, art, music, periods of silence, or all of these. Allow yourself to be fully immersed in beauty without thinking of what you must do next. Give thanks for moments of solitude and beauty. Recharge, refresh, and renew.
Challenges
How do you see and perceive challenges? Do you look at a challenge and think I will never overcome this? Or do you see challenge as potential for growth and forward motion?
How you see and perceive challenge determines how well you conquer it. Realize your perception may be skewed. Keep in mind you don’t have to do everything in your own strength. God is available to provide wisdom and courage. Also, others, whom you trust, may lend insights you haven’t considered.
Hope
How do you see and perceive what lies ahead? Do you view the future with expectation or trepidation?
Hope is the key to seeing and perceiving with positivity. Today, begin to look ahead with hope, knowing, with God’s help, you can face anything the future brings.
“Ears to listen, eyes to see—the Eternal designed them both” (Proverbs 20:12 VOICE).
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is a writer, blogger, speaker, and freelance editor. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotionals published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
To receive Candy’s blog, Forward Motion, via email, go to https://candyarrington.com/blog/ and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.