They consider me to have sharp and penetrating vision because I see them through the mesh of a sieve. ~ Khalil Gibran
There are three classes of people: those who see. Those who see when they are shown. Those who do not see. ~ Leonardo da Vinci
I was thinking about “seeing” the other day. I find that so many times we see what we want to see, rather than whatever the reality we are confronting truly is. I have had parents of five-year olds who cannot speak a word try to somehow justify that it is normal. I have had parents claim their children were honor students when they could barely write their name. Their reality, what they saw, in no way matched the more common interpretation of the reality at hand. I find this so sad.
When we are willing to open our eyes and truly see the reality of the world around us, the reality of our own strengths and weaknesses, then and only then do we become strong. Admittance of our shortcomings allows us to grow in ways that are not accessible to individuals who remain in denial.
Today, 187 days ’til 40, I am reminded of how human I am and how okay that is. I will strive to make sure that the reality I see lines up with the reality of most people who surround me.
~400daystil40
Fortuitous Forty!!! 
buckwheatsrisk
August 18, 2012 at 04:56
i see 😉
400daystil40
August 19, 2012 at 00:47
hehe 🙂
buckwheatsrisk
August 19, 2012 at 01:07
lol
Lucianus Mauricius
August 18, 2012 at 15:40
As the saying goes; Never underestimate the power of denial.
400daystil40
August 19, 2012 at 00:47
Yes, so many people hang out in Egypt for too long!
Lucianus Mauricius
August 19, 2012 at 11:04
Egypt? I didn’t get it.
400daystil40
August 19, 2012 at 18:58
The Nile river is in Egypt (Denial – De Nile) – get it??? 🙂
Lucianus Mauricius
August 20, 2012 at 10:52
Now I got it. Had a blonde moment LOL 😀
400daystil40
August 20, 2012 at 13:37
😉 🙂 😉
5arabee6
August 18, 2012 at 16:59
What do you see when you look in the mirror?
400daystil40
August 19, 2012 at 00:46
Great question!
mybeautfulthings
August 18, 2012 at 17:14
Well said! 🙂
400daystil40
August 19, 2012 at 00:46
Thank you!
MixerUpper
August 18, 2012 at 17:47
Hey 400 days! Thanks for visiting me. I have been checking in on you from time to time. How are you feeling lately about the impending “40”?
400daystil40
August 19, 2012 at 00:44
Thank you for your visit! I cannot believe how quickly the countdown progresses – hard to believe how close to 40 I really am! 🙂
MixerUpper
August 19, 2012 at 01:23
🙂
Soon you will have to start a new blog!
walkwiththerabbi
August 18, 2012 at 18:02
All progress begins by telling the truth. This resonates with the post I’ll be writing tomorrow. Some will see today as a miserable day. It’s not miserable at all. It’s simply a day. How we interpret and view it, either makes it a miserable day or a glorious one. Everyday presents the choice to each of us.
400daystil40
August 19, 2012 at 00:44
Yes, I feel the same way!
Another Thousand Words
August 18, 2012 at 19:28
It is sad, 400, that so many, children AND adults, live in a ‘fantasy land’ where reality is not allowed to exist. Much of this is the result of television, film, and of course, video games…all produced in those other ‘fantasy lands’ (like Hollywood). These media CAN be instructive tools, but until they are re-formed into those, this ‘UN-reality’ will not cease.
400daystil40
August 19, 2012 at 00:43
Yes, it is so very sad…..
Lani Longshore
August 18, 2012 at 19:53
Well, there are some times when not seeing what is really there can bring you on a wonderful creative journey – more than a few of my short story and quilt titles have come from misreading a headline or billboard. The best misreading I’ve heard comes from a friend, who saw a newspaper article titled “Man accused in real estate fraud” but which she read as “Man accused in reality fraud.” Perhaps that is what the parents you mentioned are engaging in – reality fraud.
400daystil40
August 19, 2012 at 00:43
hehehe – good point!!!
viveka
August 18, 2012 at 22:32
A great topic again … I think that when it’s about our children, is it easy to be blind for the truth – so many parents want wonder-kids. Hopefully they have a more clear blue view on everything else in life. Then there is things we don’t want to see as they really are, because it makes us uncomfortable. Happen to us all .. at least to me, but I’m very aware about my strength and weakness, can’t bake … but I’m a world champion on souffles.
400daystil40
August 19, 2012 at 00:43
Yes, so sad, but so true.
A Table in the Sun
August 19, 2012 at 05:03
I love the Da Vinci quote. I know all those people!
400daystil40
August 19, 2012 at 22:47
hehehe 🙂
Betty Rubble
August 19, 2012 at 17:46
Humanity is in the eye of the beholder.
400daystil40
August 19, 2012 at 22:43
Yes!
Spider42
August 21, 2012 at 13:47
So very true.
This post reminded me of a a dialogue from a favourite movie that has been a truth I strongly believe in : Never underestimate the power of denial.
Sounds cynical and negative and all kinds of things people don’t like – but it’s true nonetheless.
400daystil40
August 21, 2012 at 22:15
Yes, I LOVE that quote!!!!!