I had recurring dreams, the interpretations of which repeatedly stated that I “was not seeing what was before me.”  I was confounded, sad, and confused.  What was I not seeing?  I couldn’t figure it out.

The memory of these dreams re-surfaced when I was around people who, in my view, clearly were not seeing what was very apparent to me.  I saw myself in them.  I was so dismayed by the message my dreams were sending me that I had a strong desire to become aware of what I wasn’t seeing.  I wanted to cure my blindness.

In my quest, I read, listened, meditated, attended workshops and seminars, and saw a therapist.  I had no proof that any of this would help me to see, but I was willing to try anything.  I was open to whatever was available that might open my eyes, my ears, my heart, and my mind and allow me to see the clear manifestation of reality.

Most people are adamant that they perceive the reality of what is before them.  They become angry if another interpretation is presented.  This anger disguises a lack of openness.  It is a tell-tell sign of resistance to knowing truth.  One can disagree with the expressed opinion of another.  However, an intense emotional reaction to that expression indicates that an arrow has hit its mark.

For example, someone might say with concern, “You look tired all of the time.”  Perhaps the comment could have been more skillfully made; however, you blow up and scream, “Why are you always so critical?”  You could have laughed it off.  Your response may indicate that you believe there is something about you that is worth criticizing.

When I react with intense emotion, I ask myself, “what is the truth within me that my reaction is pointing to?”  I may need to develop better ways to react to my stress and that of others.  How can I stay calm in the midst of turmoil?  What techniques can I learn and practice to enhance my inner and outer peace?

Sometimes the issues are deeper.  Many of us don’t want to evolve.  We don’t even recognize our resistance to growth.  Human beings have an inherent need to move beyond our present circumstances.  The inability to do so expresses itself in unconscious mannerisms – commenting enviously on the upward mobility of others, sensitivity to benign comments, irritation at inconsequential incidents, general feelings of discontent with no known reason, mental and physical fatigue, and the aforementioned intense emotional reaction.

Even as we complain about it, we become complacent with the status quo.  Why do we cling so absolutely to an existence that is not propelling us towards our highest potential?  Is it fear?  Is it a need to feel in control?  We know the boundaries of the known.  We don’t know if we will be able to manage and survive the unknown, so it’s best to stay right where we are.  The job pays well.  I’ve got good benefits.  I’ll have a good pension.  Better to have something than nothing.  I’m happy.

Are you truly happy or are you merely content?  Do your reactions, your emotional status, your health, and your significant others, if any, reflect your perceived happiness?  If you regularly function in stressful environments and are surrounded by people who have substantial and consistent problems, you are not the only sane one or the saving grace that you imagine yourself to be.  You are not “handling it” or “holding everything together” or “the one everyone counts on.”

Your thoughts return to you as people and circumstances.  Your environment and the people around you are your reflections.  You don’t even recognize them as your thoughts because you don’t keep track of what you think.  You are not mindful of all that goes in and out of your brain.  Maybe you don’t even realize that things could be better.

If you accept the premise that people and circumstances are simply the physical manifestations of your thoughts, then that means that you must acknowledge that you have control.  You have power.  Things don’t always just happen to you.  This isn’t just the way things are or can be.  You can change yourself and your world.  This concept can be very difficult to accept and even more challenging to implement.

If it is possible to change our perceived world by changing our thoughts, our perceptions, our minds, and our consciousness, then we have to accept that we have power that we are not utilizing.  We are wasting energy and time.  We are not living full lives.  We have the ability to effect change and we are choosing not to do so.  We are choosing not to see what is in front of us.

Most of us don’t like to see our reflections; therefore, we become angry with those who are holding the mirror.  Can we stop infinitely reacting to the external and, instead, turn our efforts inward to cure our blindness?