Two Ways of Looking

Consider the difference between a map and a window. They both represent different ways of looking. The map affords a “God’s eye” perspective on a piece of planet earth. We can easily see the relationships between destinations which are too far to see just with our eyes. The problem with a map, however, is that it requires interpretation, and you have to know where you are on it if it’s to be any use at all.

A window, on the other hand, is a way of seeing which is much more concrete. You see shapes and terrain – you see what’s really there and a window never lies. The problem with the window, however, is that it does not show you how to get from here to anywhere else and it never shows you what’s beyond the next hill.

I find myself too often stuck ‘looking through the window’: dealing with immediate, urgent things which overwhelm my senses. I’m really starting to hate my Blackberry with it’s incessant pinging about problems, apparent ‘crises’ and other things flit past my ‘window’. I’m drawn to them because they are far more real than anything on the map – and far more immediate – but are they more important?

In truth, we’ll get lost looking through that window. It takes discipline – and sometimes courage – to pull back from the assault of urgent things and remember the end from the beginning, see the relationship between all things, re-establish a sense of priority and read the map!

Which do you spend more time looking at or through?

Something to consider.

Have a great weekend.

Chris