Pretty bold to have a typo in the first blog post. Right?
Granted, there are three pears in the photo. But, can you see that there are also three pairs[1]?
A pathologist friend of mine had a quote in his office from Oliver Cromwell. “… think it possible you may be mistaken.” First, those who are familiar with the entire quote will probably forgive the ellipsis – I have no intention of debating the meaning of the more graphic clause. Second, yes, pathologists have friends. Anyhow, I was always amused by the fact that this quote was taped to a pathologist’s cabinet. What a great field in which to create a habit of evaluating many perceptions of a problem. If ever a pathologist evaluates biopsies of my tissue, I hope he doesn’t rush to a conclusion without reasonably considering that he may be mistaken.
But what do pears, Cromwell and pathology have to do with day-to-day life? See if anybody can relate to this…
Professor Randy once confessed to our class that he had gone a week thinking that one of his neighbors, Charles, was angry with him. As Charles turned into the neighborhood one day, Randy gave Charles a proper, neighborly wave. Charles immediately scrunched up his face and did not return the wave. Many of us say to ourselves, “Sure, that’s so rude!” But, Professor Randy explained that later that week, he drove into the neighborhood around that same time of day and the sun blasted his eyes so badly that he couldn’t see anything but a flash of white. As his eyes readjusted to the road, his brain settled into understanding why his friend scrunched up his face and didn’t return the wave. Professor Randy followed his story with an insightful and important tag line: “I’m just glad that I didn’t have to make any major decisions that would have affected my neighborly relationship with Charles that week.”
This week, have we formed an opinion or reached a conclusion about our family, neighbors and co-workers? If so, that is perfectly normal, and generally acceptable. But, have we have gone so far as defining their hearts or motives based on incomplete information? “I just know that she hates me… she gave me that look.” “He is acting that way to get back at me.” “He is just pushing for that agenda because it benefits him.”
I beseech you all this week, think it possible you are mistaken before making an important decision… especially when relationships are on the line.
[1] If we label the pears A, B, & C, there is one pair consisting of A & B, one consisting of B & C, and one consisting of A & C.
Common Sensitivity 