day 419: Filtered Views

Lots of business books talk about how we are to be sure that what we see is actually what is happening around us, or be sure that we know what filters we are viewing the world through. We each come from, and through, our own set of experiences that then filter the world and our perception of what is occurring. I just got done having conversations with a number of people within a company who all work in the same place and are dealing with the same issues, who work for the same person and they all see things around them slightly, or in some cases, drastically different. It's a weird thing to see as an outsider looking in, but it's not hard to understand how each one of them can see things askew of someone else because of their different and varied backgrounds and experiences. We all need to remember this when we sit with someone and hear their side of a story and we don't understand what they are saying or where they are coming from. The reason is likely not them, it is more us not seeing and hearing them through our own filters. If we could, would, do this then we would find that we would be much more understanding and accepting of others. Every company and workplace I know could stand to receive an extra does of both. One filter we should all have is humility. David says that if we start with humility we will see something special. Read in Psalm 69:32; "The humble will see their God at work and be glad." Without humility we may be filtering out our ability to see God's full handiwork. It makes sense, because those who are proud are not those who know that it is only by God's grace that we are here and able to do what we do. So today, check your filters and see if humility is overriding your pride. If it isn't, then today would be a good day to do a re-prioritizing and bring humility back up and forward as a good filter for all that you see and do.

Reference: Psalm 69:32 (New Living Testament)