A recent leadership meeting was, to an outside observer, an intersection of many different stories. At the center of it all was the formal leader. If aspirations and intent accurately described his story, then it was clear that “bright clouds and storm clouds circle ’round him; right and justice anchor his rule.” (Psalm 97.2) Yet, as is the way with flawed individuals, there is more to the story. As I watched the unfolding dynamics, spoken as well as unsaid, I was struck by the unending paradoxes that haunt your story as well as mine.
One’s mind sees what we choose within our vision. Looking from the outside, it is easy to see that someone can only see was is within the boundaries of one’s side. The mind sees and understands even less because our choices of what we are willing to see automatically limits what the mind can see and potentially understand.
Rarely is what we think we see both accurate and complete. Even when we are intentionally open and aware, we see, hear, and experience through a framework that includes our biases, myths, and true identity. We may or may not recognize what shapes and filters our views.
Our stories are our own however they are also sub-plots to other stories as well as the grandest story that is unconditionally shared among and between us. It is easy to forget and slip back into the idea that we are unconnected individuals with unique stories. While partially true, in the greater context we are connected in ways we cannot imagine and our story overlaps and joins others in a complex and wonderfully mysterious tapestry.
In any given moment, anyone can be a magnet. We draw others to ourselves for a variety of reasons, good, bad, attractive, dangerous…the list goes on and on. With the attraction there is a call of responsibility and accountability. In the best of times, we live up to our aspirations and dreams.
As the story continues to expand today, I am hopeful that I will see and experience more than ever before.
