a few months back a newspaper printed an article saying that there was a shortage of change in India.
I have no idea if there is actually a shortage or not.
it actually doesn't matter...cause there is now.
even if there's plenty of change, there is the perception of a shortage...and that has led to change rationing.
it drives me crazy.
it used to be that a 10 rupee note was a fine way to pay for a 4 rupee ride. now it's not. now if you want to pay with a 10 rs note you have to tell the driver before you get in...and he might say no and drive away.
again, i think this is absurd.
at first i tried to resist it...but slowly i have given in.
and i wonder...is there really a change shortage? or have we create a shortage by our actions? by our rationing?
and then this points me to the deeper truth that often, in deeper, more true, more weighty matters, perception is reality.
...it doesn't matter if i do trust you...if you perceive that i don't.
...it doesn't matter that you're not actually judging me if i perceive that you are.
...it doesn't matter that you're valuable and gifted and amazing if you don't believe it.
...it doesn't matter if there's grace if i refuse to receive it.
...it doesn't matter if i want to know you if you won't let me know you.
...it doesn't matter if i am loved if i won't receive it.
...it doesn't matter if something is not my responsibility if someone (either someone else, or I) perceive that it is.
in the way that i interact with friends, strangers, and myself - so often (probably most often for worse...not for better) perception is reality.
sometimes we believe the worst about ourselves, and this becomes our reality.
sometimes we believe the worst about those we care about, assuming the worst rather than the best...and this becomes our reality.
but there times, when we rise above it. those precious, powerful, life changing times, when we (or someone we love) is brave enough to confess...to confess the lies that we believe too easily...to confess the fear that we are allowing to inform our decision making...or bold enough to speak the truth (sometimes unbidden) that frees something deep inside us.
these moments are sacred.
sometimes in the kitchen....
or at the beach...
sitting around the dinner table...
at a worship service...
these moments change us.
they change me.
they change the way i see myself.
they change the way i see the situation.
they change the assumptions i made about myself and others.
they change the reality that i had perceived.
cause a change shortage is one thing (albeit a very annoying thing)...but to allow a perception to become truth, and to believe and live in a lie relationally or personally...that is tragic.
I have no idea if there is actually a shortage or not.
it actually doesn't matter...cause there is now.
even if there's plenty of change, there is the perception of a shortage...and that has led to change rationing.
it drives me crazy.
it used to be that a 10 rupee note was a fine way to pay for a 4 rupee ride. now it's not. now if you want to pay with a 10 rs note you have to tell the driver before you get in...and he might say no and drive away.
again, i think this is absurd.
at first i tried to resist it...but slowly i have given in.
and i wonder...is there really a change shortage? or have we create a shortage by our actions? by our rationing?
and then this points me to the deeper truth that often, in deeper, more true, more weighty matters, perception is reality.
...it doesn't matter if i do trust you...if you perceive that i don't.
...it doesn't matter that you're not actually judging me if i perceive that you are.
...it doesn't matter that you're valuable and gifted and amazing if you don't believe it.
...it doesn't matter if there's grace if i refuse to receive it.
...it doesn't matter if i want to know you if you won't let me know you.
...it doesn't matter if i am loved if i won't receive it.
...it doesn't matter if something is not my responsibility if someone (either someone else, or I) perceive that it is.
in the way that i interact with friends, strangers, and myself - so often (probably most often for worse...not for better) perception is reality.
sometimes we believe the worst about ourselves, and this becomes our reality.
sometimes we believe the worst about those we care about, assuming the worst rather than the best...and this becomes our reality.
but there times, when we rise above it. those precious, powerful, life changing times, when we (or someone we love) is brave enough to confess...to confess the lies that we believe too easily...to confess the fear that we are allowing to inform our decision making...or bold enough to speak the truth (sometimes unbidden) that frees something deep inside us.
these moments are sacred.
sometimes in the kitchen....
or at the beach...
sitting around the dinner table...
at a worship service...
these moments change us.
they change me.
they change the way i see myself.
they change the way i see the situation.
they change the assumptions i made about myself and others.
they change the reality that i had perceived.
cause a change shortage is one thing (albeit a very annoying thing)...but to allow a perception to become truth, and to believe and live in a lie relationally or personally...that is tragic.
3 comments:
Great post. A good reminder that I need to change my perception of a few things. . .
good stuff, mel. thanks for sharing.
So true! :) Well said Melissa :)
Post a Comment