Hearing, seeing, tasting, smelling, and touching. Our five senses guide and direct us through life. These senses need to wholly be utilized to be completely experiencing the world around us. We need to hear the birds chirping to appreciate the small things and to hear the rolls of thunder to know the rain will come. We need to see those who are in need and to see every sunrise and sunset to know a new of opportunity has come and gone. We need to taste the food that nourishes our body. We need to smell the sweet smells of spring and summer. We need to touch in an embrace to show we are present for someone who needs to be comforted. As humans, we rely on our senses, and without the strong bond of them together, we miss an aspect of the human experience. On the flipside of that statement, sometimes we choose to turn a blind eye and deaf ear to certain circumstances and situations to avoid heartache or involvement. I do not think this is the best way to maneuver through life. I believe everything happens for a reason, so to ignore something, it puts a wall up in the way of learning. If we are fortunate enough to have fully functioning senses, we should show our appreciation by using them entirely to interaction and collaborate with others. So, the next time you want to dodge a situation or skirt around an issue, face it head on and put forth your full potential. You will come out stronger, and you will undoubtedly learn something either about yourself, others, or life in general. Be open-minded and willing to look beyond the surface. Beggars cannot be choosers, so we cannot have selective senses. Stay Curious, Kayla ©Inquisitive Perspectives 2017
0 Comments
How often do we encounter a person, judge them prematurely, take the time to get to know then, and ultimately decide they are a good person? Society thrives on snap judgments, and first impressions matter, but not as much as the lasting impression and character a person holds deep within their soul. The initial judgment we place on individuals should not be the determining factor of whether or not they are a good person, nor should it be the absolute moniker they are known as. Misrepresentations happen on a daily basis. I am not sure if I have turned a blind eye to them all these years, or if the misrepresentations are more prevalent these days. No matter what the reason is for my awareness of these incidents, there is no reason you and I should fall into the trap society has set for us to distinguish between those who are different from us and seem a little off from the mold we are expected to fit in to be considered normal. This exchange Atticus has with Scout is powerful. And not powerful just in the context of the story, but powerful for everyday life. Scout’s innocent observation should be taken with a deep appreciation for her ability to see beyond the labels and accusations and understanding that it is okay to recognize someone for being nice without other pretenses. Atticus’s response matches in simple concepts, and it challenges us to break down barriers and evaluate situations for ourselves. We do not need to take society’s word or accept the preconceived notions we are often lead to believe. To Kill A Mockingbird pushes the limits with colliding worlds and classes of people. Integrated ideas and unlikely pairings provide the framework for how we should embrace humanity with acceptance and understanding. So, the next time you encounter someone who, on the surface, seems different from yourself, I challenge you to look at life through their eyes. We need to break the habit of judging only by looking, but not seeing. Stay Curious, Kayla ©Inquisitive Perspectives 2017 Atticus makes a good point. It makes me think about the realness of how blinding love can be. Whether it be love for a person, love for a place, love for food, love for shoes (and the list can go on), we can fall into an unending cycle. The chase for love could be a spiraling endeavor or a happy ending, but regardless how the ever after plays out, we have a front row seat to watch it all unfold. My life is crazy at the moment, so my love is devoted to getting enough sleep, having somewhat of a balanced meal at least once a day, and having a little self-care to prevent a stress fest from spewing from all of my deadlines and commitments. I barely have a social life, so the fact that Valentine’s Day is tomorrow has not even phased me in the least. So many things are happening all at once for me, and I love every minute of it, but let me tell you, from the outside looking in, the insanity of everything going on is the exact poison that love can be doused in. This probably sounds crazy, and to be honest, it more than likely is. But, when you think about it, whenever something is labeled to be dangerous or have that element of surprise, we innately chase the thrill. It does not matter to me that my schedule is less than ideal or that my social life is suffering at the moment. The thing that does matter to me is that the collision of my dreams and passions are quenching my thirst for love. I am head over heels with what is happening. I am taking the leap and diving into the next chapter of life. So while the rest of the happy love birds are celebrating with roses and chocolates tomorrow, I will be holding on tight to the vow I made to myself above anything else to make the most of this time in my life. I may be delusional to reality due to my sleep deprivation, but there will come the day when I can look back and celebrate life’s high. I only get one chance to do what I love, so I am going to drink it all up. And I have to admit; it sure tastes good to drink life’s love potion. Stay Curious, Kayla ©Inquisitive Perspectives 2017 Empathy is a wonderful character trait to hold. Often, it is mistaken for being synonymous with sympathy, but that is not the case. Being empathetic is to be understanding of those who are going through tough times and to be open to a new way of doing things. The belief system that goes a little something like this, “my way or the highway,” has no room for the acceptance of new ways and the ability to adapt. We are quick to judge and even quicker to ignore those who are different from us. For Scout and Jem in To Kill A Mockingbird, their father, Atticus, provides the moral framework for them in maneuvering life’s troublesome moments. Although Atticus’s response to Scout after coming home from a rough day at school was an indirect relationship to the end realization, it offers a life lesson we all should appreciate. Scout and Jem find themselves encountering a unique character in Boo Radley, and without giving too much away, the words of Atticus Finch come echoing full circle. Other than the fact Scout was a tomboy, I can identify with her character. She goes through a transformation, and through her narration of To Kill A Mockingbird, it is evident to note her changes. I would like to think that the even-keel Atticus and his timely words of wisdom were pivotal contributions to the growth of Scout. He created thought-provoking ideas to ponder and work through. Scout needed the challenge to discover her place in the world, and she needed to understand that not everything was as it seems. Rightfully so, Scout was cautiously skeptical of certain people in her life, but there needs to come to a point when we can set aside differences, get to know a person, and actually be nice without stipulations. Imagine that; what a novel concept: being nice. Once we cross that empathetic threshold, we must stay true to the advancement. We owe it to our own character, as well as the other person’s character, to be empathetic of the struggles we encounter in life, the hardships that fall upon us, and the unfortunate events we face. Sometimes, all it takes is a renewed vantage point. Stay Curious, Kayla ©Inquisitive Perspectives 2017 |
Archives
July 2019
|