Sometimes it's far too easy to allow our own perceptions to cloud the way we preceive others, the world around us, as well as our own selves. Each and every day we build up and/or tear down something, someone, an idea, a thought, and quite often the very process in which we derive our thoughts and perceptions from. Yet, that very process which seems to wrap and unravel the untangible, inexplicible, mode of our own thought's is the very thing which can so often substantiate the unseen space within our minds which establishes our "reality".

I have often heard others express that they wish such and such had a more "open mind". Although the real issue is that they want others to be more open to what their own thoughts and opinions which have been expressed, to be more acceptable to the hearer. The undertone of the expression seems to rather speak: "I wish that person could accept and agree with what I am saying..." We all have from time to time, looked for agreement and acceptance in what we were expressing. Yet, I believe that a far more encompassing reality is at work within the eye of the mind that once we grasp would help us to recognize that difference is not an enemy; rather it is an expression of the very soul of creation itself.

This came as a great surprise to myself when I realized in my early 20's and even through... well, let's just say it was quite some time... that I felt like I should always be right. Imagine my surprise when I realized that not only was I not always right, quite often due to my own inablility to "see" clearly, my own misperceptions led me to be flat out wrong, the which would often lead to interpersonal conlficts that would then make me feel miserable and regretful.

As I look out the window I survey a small landscape behind the house which is full of trees of all different kinds, piles of leaves which were frozen onto the trees from an early freeze this last fall lines the garden space in front. Some trees are still stubbornly clinging to the dead leaves, others are bare; some are tall and bushy, others are evergreens; some are yellowing and ready for sap to run and leaves to form, some are red teeming with life ready to burst forth; but the one that surprised me was a little rag tag looking little bush, that I noticed the other day on a little jaunt around the house, which was bursting forth with little pink blossoms. Now perhaps this little one didn't get the memo that it was going to snow last night and that while spring is well on it's way there is still quite a bit of cold stuff to go on. Nevertheless this one little bush, which among the tall trees that are still grey and scraggely, stubbornly chose the show it's true inner expressions and brighten the day with it's beautiful colors. It didn't matter that not all the rest of the trees were not blooming yet. It didn't matter that the brightness of the colors surprised all who saw it, rather delighted us but surprised and a little shocked as well. No, this little living branch decided that it did not have to have acceptance to share it's beauty, rather it rejoiced in the fact that it could be different and in that difference delighted the world around it with it's true colors.

This cycle of tearing down and building up, of spring and summer, fall and winter; the cycles of natures nightime's moon and morning's sun, of composted leaves nurturing the ground to bring forth springtime's flowers they all work together to bring us beauty, life and joy. This same cycle is at work the in the hearts and minds of humankind, all we need to do is recognize it. To understand that learning about ourselves as well as all the other life forms around us; by being patient and glad to hear another even opposing viewpoint and rejoicing in the different perspectives; rather lending a more harmonic tone to our conversation in compassion and grace, perhaps we could reflect the beauty that we see in creation all around us. Perhaps we could bloom beautiful bright pink blossoms when all around us is grey and quiet.