When I got up this morning it was 37 degrees. It actually felt balmy. It is a testimony to our ability to get used to something. Imagine how 37 would have felt in September. I don't have to imagine I remember how cold the 30's felt in the early Fall.
Today for the first time in my life I am going in for an eye exam and a fitting for glasses. I will be 77 in January and I have never had an eye examination other than holding a hand over one eye and looking at a chart; the thing you have in grade school. I can still pass the eye test for a driving license, but it is getting harder. I use 99 cent glasses for reading. I would probably hold out until I am eighty but certain people in my family have been campaigning against that idea.
Of course the seeing, I am most interested in, is the seeing that happens when we drop the scales from our eyes. The scales are built by judgement and everything we see is filtered through them. I am convinced that Paradise is here, on earth, but we can't see it because of our blindness. Have I seen it? Perhaps, I have seen glimmers. If you are reading this; you probably, too, have seen glimmers. I don't see any better than you; but I have contemplated the subject for forty years. I have experienced an increase in life satisfaction; a greater sense of peace and joy as I have consciously given up my judgements of others. Yes, I still have a ways to go. Ask my wife. No don't. I want you to enjoy the illusion of my near perfection. Huh!
You will find it easier to forgive those distant from you than those close. The more intimate you are with someone the more opportunity for the ego to get involved. When you are judging yourself, you are looking at the world through your ego. You are especially alert for the shortcomings of those who are suppose to love you. At those times, you will come down hard on that other person. If you are verbal about it, a fight may ensue. It you keep it to yourself, you will get depressed. Either way you lose. Judgement is horrible. When the other person in the relationship is also leading with their ego, you can fight, vehemently, over the color of the sky. If you can catch yourself and laugh; you can dispel the curse. {It is like a curse} Laughter is a remedy for many of life's foibles. Of course, it needs to be clear that your laughing at yourself.
We have these automatic judgments we make of the world. They are just bad habits. They are easier to relinquish than we realize. Judgements about religion, nationality, race, gender, body size, wealth, health, etc. etc. Until you decide to make a conscious effort to eliminate them they color your perception. You will not see the other person. You only see a reflection of your idea. Once you are determined to give them up, you will catch yourself. You might give yourself a few seconds to discover where you learned such judgements; parent, friend, teacher etc, it helps. If it works out for you, spend a few minutes before you go to bed and review your day. {This is not for self criticism} Love yourself. Forgive yourself. You are involved in a great project and deserving of great love.
Have a wonderful SEEING day.
Love and Peace, Gregg
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