“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”
– Henry David Thoreau, American Author and Poet (1817-1862)
What do we see? And, how sure are we that we’re seeing what we think we’re seeing?
When we look at the homeless person with the sign at the intersection, do we see a huckster or someone in need?
When we look at the kid at the fast food place that can’t get “it” right, do we see a dope, or someone who’s working to support a family where mom lost her job and dad’s been gone for years?
When we look at a problem, do we see a reason to quit, or a challenge to overcome?
What we think we see might get in the way or what we ought to see — and getting that right is really, really complex. So, what do we do?
Difference makers try to look into – not past, not through, not at — but into the other person.
This video, originally released by Samuel Truett Cathy, the founder of Chic-Fil-A’s foundation – says it far better than I can.
Tom Gelin says
Steve, what a great post and great thoughts. It’s amazing how we automatically see things the way we see them without considering the position and perspective of others. It hard to change the minds of others, but very hard to change our own minds too.
Thank you for bringing that to our (your readers’) perspective. I know the video and love it as you do.
Tom