What you See Isn't What's There

"The mind of the observer is integral to determining1) Look at your external mirrors. Check out your
the nature of reality."environment, the people and relationships around you,
~ Alberto Villoldo, "Dance of the Four Winds"the shows you watch and what you read to get
As I've said before, the surface view is the mostclues as to what and how your brain is processing -
limited view. I see it over and over in living my lifehow you are relating with your world. Remember
and in working with my clients - what we see isn'tthat you are a dynamic, growing being; over time,
what's there. Our interpretation is what creates thewhat used to be enough may no longer support you.
reality. And when we don't like the reality, sometimesIf you discover that there is a disconnect from what
we just have to change the lens we're seeing ityou thought was there and what is, it's time to see
through to see something different.what's really there now. And if you need new or
That probably sums up a lot of my work withbetter mirrors, this is the time.
people, actually. By natural design, we cannot see2. Consider what isn't working for you. That is, take a
ourselves and so we need either a mirror orlook at your concerns, anxieties, tolerations,
someone to reflect us back to ourselves. The qualityfrustrations and insecurities in order to get a fix on
of the mirror determines the quality of the reflection.your internal mirrors. We only experience friction, or
And the same goes for our view of reality - if ourresistance, where there is something that needs to
internal mirror is flawed, we will see a skewed reality.be addressed or learned. Sometimes we don't see or
When people are drawn to work with me, it's usuallyknow what we want, but we always know what we
an indicator that they're ready for a new mirror, ordon't want. Understanding the places where you feel
viewing lens.rubbed the wrong way could be your starting point
The other thing to know about seeing what is or isn'tto seeing things differently.
there is that it depends on where we are in our life3. Value yourself. While this is a play on words,
learning curve. We have a harder time seeing what itanother way to tease information on what you're
is that we need to learn; that is, if we already knownot seeing is to write down your top life values in
something, we know what it is. If we can't seerandom order. Once you have that, go back through
something, it's likely to be one of our life lessons. Weand find the top ten. Go through those to get the
can't see it yet because we have to learn it. And wetop 3 - 5 values, and compare their importance to
all have those things we can't see - they're ourhow they are showing up in your world. If they
personal blind spots that represent our best growtharen't, it's time to make some changes. For example,
potential.if you value physical wellness, but aren't taking care
Anyway, to get back to the subject, what we seeof your body, you now have a message about your
isn't what's there - it's only our perception that isnext step. Brainstorm with yourself on how to create
telling us what's there. The surface view is the mostmore alignment with your inner values and your outer
flat visual to work from…it's when you goworld.
below the surface that you discover the realThe next time you think you know what you are
substance of the situation, relationship, orseeing, try looking at it in a new way, from a
opportunity. And that's where the real power lives todifferent perspective and with what spiritual-types
create more of what you want - it's there that youcall the "beginner's mind". It's guaranteed to bring you
will find more of the truth as opposed to what youa new relationship with yourself, your world and your
can interpret from the surface view.truth.
3 Things You Can Do Today: