We Do Not See Life As It Is. We See Life As We Are!

by | Aug 11, 2022 | Shadows & Reflections | 0 comments

I am completing a series of blog posts on “what I learned from cov1d.” This has been a window into my journey through the last two years.

In all these posts, I have use photos of reflections. I chose them on purpose. I “think” I “see” “reality” as it is occurring. Pretty sure you think the same. But is it true that we “see” “reality” as it is occurring?

My hunch is that we don’t see reality at all. We may see our version of reality. When I can be a little more spacious, I might get a glimpse of your version of reality. I think we only see in reflections and shadows. And I have been so fascinated about seeing reflections and shadows that I photograph them.

I invite you to follow me on this journey with curiosity. There will be a real story at the end of this post.

Sitting at my desk, I happen to notice a reflection on my phone. So, I grab my camera take some shots. Instead of working, I hop over to the photo editing app and spend an hour playing. There were some items showing in the background that I didn’t want. Played with cropping and the filters until I got what looks good to me. That is the first photo. I rather like it.

We are born into a family with its own culture. This culture is made up of many habits that make up a way of life that works for the family. Then there is the neighborhood culture of food, activities that overlay the family. Let’s add the ideas and culture of your state/province which will have different flavors than the state next door. What about the culture of religion? Even if you have stopped practicing the religion of your birth, it still influences you, deeply. Then layer on political party (right/left) thoughts that adds another layer. Then there is the layer of our country. Each country has its own experiences and flavors. That is why we like to travel to share and be enriched by each other. Let’s add on some trauma. Most of us have experienced trauma to lessor or greater extent and these experiences color our vision of life.

There is no right or wrong here. It is the fact that there are so many layers that influence our experiences and veils our vision.

Reflection turned and flipped adds layers to our understanding.

So, I showed the first photo to a friend who is a very good amateur photographer. The request was to turn the photo around so that it looked right side up. Hmmm. I thought that would be another layer that would distort the real experience. Interesting request. Make it look good.

Here’s an interesting question? Where have you done this in your life? We don’t care what is real. We just want to make it look good and fit in with what we know.

Have you ever had the thought or feeling that “something isn’t right?”  I invite you to consider that thought or feeling might be whispering to you through all the layers of life, through all that we hold dear, but might not be true or might not be our truth.

 

 

 

Here’s the rest of this story.

This is what is actually on my wall. The counted cross stitch piece I did for my father in 1980. The original picture was drawn by my aunt (my mother’s sister). She was an illustrator and used to draw fashions sold by the Addis Company and her art would be in the local newspaper. She did this picture as a silhouette, and it hung on my grandmother’s wall among other pieces she had done beautifully. Sailor and Icon

I loved this picture. I had tried for years to figure out a way to put it on cloth for my father who was an avid sailor. I would go to craft stores and fairs. When I would find original works, I would ask how to put this on cloth. I was met with “you can’t” over and over.

One day, I walk into the ICU where I worked, for my shift. A friend and coworker was working on a project. I’m watching her. She has blank cloth in a hoop. And a pattern on a sheet of paper beside her. Hmmm. The wheels start to turn. I said “Beth, what are you doing?” She tells me “Counted cross stitch.” We had a discussion on counted cross stitch. She gave me the basics before I started my shift.

I was so excited; I could hardly contain myself. Mom helped me to copy my aunt’s artwork on to graph paper. I found 14 count Ada cloth and proceeded to replicate this artwork onto cloth for my father.

The audacity! To think I could do this. I stitched and had to take it out a few times until I figured it out. But I did it. And it looks good too, on the wall and in a picture. 🙂

What is it that you think you can’t do?

The Icon is of Jesus. My son bought this Icon, for my mother, while visiting Turkey on his honeymoon. This came from the Hagia Sofia which was a Greek Orthodox Christian Church until the Ottoman Empire took over and converted into a Mosque. Jesus is considered a prophet in Islam.

Now you know the story of the wall hanging and icon and how that can be changed by layering of experiences, expectations, emotions, and beliefs. This is what happens in life.

Would you like to learn how to clear your palate so that you may experience and taste the real joys of life?  It is so freeing and rich to walk through life as it is in all its wonderful glory.

I am curious. How does this discussion land for you? Please comment below.

 

Ways to connect with me: My website. https://marypatfitzgibbons.com   Feel Good Life Info: https://marypatfitzgibbons.com/webinar

#FeelGoodLife

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