|
Though we humans are self-aware, we
nonetheless cannot distance ourselves from the world around us and have a
natural tendency to ascribe meaning to all that we experience. The
significance we perceive in our experiences is rooted in our observation
of patterns as they relate to ourselves. One situation has the power to
teach us about life because it exposes us to something unfamiliar.
Another touches our emotions deeply by enabling us to see how fortunate
we are. Yet our initial impressions may not wholly reveal the true
significance of an event because our full response to an experience is
like an onion with many layers that all have disparate meanings. Consider
that a sunrise may stun us visually while simultaneously evoking memories
of childhood and reminding us that each new day is a rebirth.
If you take the time to examine your
experiences closely, you will discover that your original impressions may
only be a part of a larger story of significance. Peeling away the layers
of an event or incident can be a fun and interesting process if you allow
it. To begin, relive your experience in your mind’s eye and from multiple
perspectives if possible. Your interpretation of any situation is based
not only on facts but also on your feelings, beliefs, and values. As you
ruminate upon your experience, spend a few moments contemplating how you
felt when it began and how your feelings had changed by its end. Ask
yourself what abstractions, if any, awakened in your mind. If an
experience stirs up questions within your soul, it may be that in
striving to answer them a new layer of meaning may reveal itself to you.
The significance of an experience may
remain hidden to you for some time. The meaning of an event can change
when viewed from another context or may only become apparent after
intense meditation. An incident that seemed superficial at first may
unexpectedly touch us deeply later in our lives. If you take a truly
open-minded approach to your examination of each new level and do not shy
away from revelations that could prove painful, you will learn much about
your relationship to the world around you. And the refined impression you
glean from your experiences after contemplating their significance can
add a new richness and texture to your life.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment