Author: Jim Gohrick (Page 2 of 146)

I’m not really even sure what this means. I believe I do when it comes to facts. As a fact is still a fact – even today. On the other hand, when it comes to our perspective, it becomes a bit more complicated.

The reason is because of our perception of what is true or real. Or even present in the moment. It’s our mind’s way of trying to protect us, but we can miss vital information that will prevent us from evolving. This is called ‘Selective Perception.’ That’s why I want to pull on this thread.

Selective Perception is when our mind filters what we don’t want to hear or see – for whatever reason. So, it leads us to only see a fraction of the truth and not what is actually real. Essentially, it’s choosing to believe what you want to believe is true. Not actually true.

For me, this is no way to go through my day. I would rather see the world in an unbiased way and make my decisions from that truth. Wouldn’t you?

Why is it that the moment our sought after goal and/or endeavor is realized, we completely forget the road we traveled to get there and maybe more importantly, how we felt along the way.

Let me explain; It seems rather easy to forget how we felt when we were struggling and striving for that hard-earned goal, when remembering what we were thinking and how we were feeling could be the greatest teaching tool in our ability to gain wisdom.

If you want to go even deeper – to quote the late Kobe Bryant after missing the last shot to win the game when a reporter asked him how he feels about not making it – “How I feel has nothing to do with it. I need to answer the question ‘why’ I missed the shot. I’ve answered that question. Now I know why and I can get to work on it.”

Kobe took a little different spin on it, but all the same. He knows what it takes to get the results he wants.

I would say, we can learn a lot by remembering where our head was while we were in the thick of our struggles. This is a great teaching tool to mark your progress and more importantly, the lessons we learned.

Maybe, just maybe there’s one day out of the year we can choose to change our perspective to one of human kindness, Love, patience and gratitude.

Maybe, just maybe we can drop all of our resentment, fear, worries, and tightly held presumptions we may or may not have and choose to give others the benefit of the doubt. Maybe even bring some joy to their lives.

Maybe, just maybe there’s a day we can see others as an opportunity to give something of value we have away to others. Maybe it’s not money or gifts. Maybe it’s just a “hello,” or “happy holidays.” It could be a smile that connects two human beings to let them know they’re not alone.

Maybe. Maybe Christmas is the perfect time.

Maybe we can take this season of joy – around the holidays – and stretch it out just a wee bit on both sides. By doing so, maybe we can be a little more kind, patient and loving to those around us. Both loved-ones and strangers.

Why not? I know for myself, it takes as much energy – maybe even more – to be angry/not happy/unkind than it does to be kind and loving. How much energy does it take to yell and cuss (that’s me), throwing your hands in the air, etc. when someone cuts you off in traffic vs. not being effected at all and allowing the person in front of you to get where they need to go with Love in our hearts. I know the answer to that.

And I feel good every time I do it. Tis the season . . . of Love.

Sam Harris once said – and I’m paraphrasing – if we can be a good person and remain present in the moment, that is more than enough and will keep us focused and busy the rest of our lives.

Having that been said – and especially during the holiday season – I’m intending to do my best to do just that; Remain present in each and every moment while we navigate our busy schedules, without letting my focus drift to ‘what’s next.’

This is the ‘gift’ I’m going to give myself and to my loved-ones around me – my undivided time and attention.

After all, what’s more precious than that?