Over the past two weeks, I’ve shared how the ability to see clearly is affected by our bodily senses, as well as our thoughts. Most importantly, though, I believe that to see most clearly means to see in terms of relationships, or the interactions and encounters that make up our lives.
Here are a few ways we practiced seeing relationally this year.
Noticing Change. Nothing is static. Everything is in flow, like an electrical current. Therefore, seeing clearly is not static either. Our map of reality has to be updated regularly. Seeing clearly means to see the current in this moment and to adapt and evolve as necessary.
Noticing Chance. Whether we like it or not, our lives are often determined by chance events, those ‘accidents, interruptions, and serendipitous encounters’ that change our days for better or worse. They’re unexpected and out of our control so all we can do is respond to them in the best way we can as they occur.
Seeing our Interdependence. We are not discrete, individual entities. As a matter of fact, we’re completely enmeshed with the world around us, impacted by everything and everyone, while at the same time impacting others. This year, we looked at the quality of our relationships and practiced deepening our conversations, including those with the non-human world. And, we noticed edges, or where things meet, both visible and invisible. We became aware of the space between things, where the magic of a relationship happens.
Seeing in Systems. Once we begin to see in terms of relationships and interdependence, we realize that everything is part of a complex, open system of exchange - whether that’s an ecosystem, a business organization, or your community. Disruptions in the system are signals of change, and they spark the system to self-organize by eliminating what’s no longer relevant (Wheatley). We touched on this in a post on creating cultures of reciprocity and responsibility.
Context and nuance are important elements of seeing clearly, and very often missing from online and in-person discourse. But they’re key to making good decisions and acting effectively. When we become rigid in our views, or in where we get our information, we see from narrowed lenses and the system breaks down. This year we talked about the importance of media literacy, seeking out opposing views, seeing the complexity in situations, and entertaining new possibilities.
I’ll end this year of seeing clearly with one of my favorite quotes from Laura Sewall’s book, Sense and Sensibility, which has been my constant companion on this journey.
“To take vision for granted, to be thoughtless about the variety, miracle, and magic of seeing is to limit one’s self to a play-by-play objectification of reality. But to envision the act of seeing as the marriage between the viewer and viewed is to be woven into the fabric of a shifting field of light, of energy, beauty, and all that one may lay eyes upon. It is to recognize that, as in all marriages, there are a thousand ways to honor the union. And as in any intimate relationship, what we bring to the exchange determines the quality of the experience.” ~ Laura Sewall, Sight and Sensibility
Reflect
Are you seeing with your whole body and not just your eyes? Are you more aware of your conditioned mind, and how judgments and opinions can be obstacles to seeing clearly? Are you seeing more in terms of relationships rather than things? Which area still needs some work?
What was your greatest insight this year? Your greatest surprise?
What was missing for you? Are there subjects that weren’t addressed that you’d like to know more about?
I’d love to hear from you. Just hit reply to this email or share in the comments when you’ve had time to digest. This post is open to everyone.
Join me for Seeing your Place 2022
This is the final newsletter for the 2021 seeing clearly project, as I plan to take next week off to spend time with family. Thank you for allowing me into your inbox every week. I have so enjoyed sharing my thoughts and questions about seeing clearly with you this year. The thoughtful comments and emails I’ve received throughout the year have made it so worthwhile.
Please feel free to dig into the archives and I hope you’ll join me, beginning January 2nd, for Seeing your Place 2022. It will be a deep dive into bringing attention and care to the place where you live, and knowing your role as a citizen of that place.
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