The Window Through Which We Look
A young couple moves into a new neighborhood.
The next morning while they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside.
"That laundry is not very clean", she said. "She doesn't know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap."
Her husband looked on, but remained silent. Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments. About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband:
"Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this."
The husband said, "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows."
And so it is with life. What we see when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look.
We all do it. Even I get judgmental at times. My window is not always squeaky clean...
But I hate to see people when they take it out on others. Example: Being critical behind someones back or try to get others in a group social situation to take a side even if just for a laugh.
I was at a get together recently, where one guy in particular was "picking" on another. I understand that guys have to do this for whatever reason, but can they not tell when it leaves the boundary of slightly funny and creeps into the really uncomfortable stage? Perhaps its just me that feels uncomfortable.... but somehow I doubt that.
I was not a bully in school, and I dont take to them well now either. But when do you reach the point where you cannot just sit and watch it any longer, where you just just JUST have to say something, anything, without putting that negative attention onto yourself?!
Sadly I now have been avoiding this circle of acquaintances, call me anti social, but I prefer to surround myself with people I enjoy. Who can take my minor judgments and in return I can take theirs.
On another note, my high school reunion is coming up.... over the 4th of July weekend. Im not so sure how I feel about attending, remember how I said I was not a bully in school? Well truth be told I really wasnt much of anything in school. Period. I did what I could to squeak by, not develop any extra unwanted attentions so I could slink home at the end of the excruciating day and wander to the beach or the woods and let my imagination out of its tight little box.
I have definatley gotten out of my "box" since school, but its bringing up some strange emotions. Sigh, I will let you know how it goes.
Signing off (to continue my trip planning to Norway YAY 34 days, the count down is ON!!!!!!!!!)
