I’ve lived in the same apartment for three years. For the first two years, my desk faced the window overlooking the cityscape and a beautiful park. I spent days and nights at that desk writing my book, yet it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I actually looked out the window with both eyes and gained a full awareness of what I saw. Two huge paths come together right below my window. How have I possibly missed this seemingly obvious feature for three full years? I have glanced and gazed out the window hundreds of times, but I was never really looking out the window. Whenever I have turned my attention out to the scenes below, my thoughts have been far away. Those converging paths could have been lit up with neon lights and I wouldn’t have noticed them directly below me.
I consider life often in terms of two paths presented to me, beckoning me to choose which path I shall take. But what if those paths came together to offer the best of both worlds? This scenario happens on occasion; at least it does right outside my window — why can’t it happen in life as well? Well, perhaps it can and does, but we will only see it we’re looking with both eyes.
I can’t imagine how much of life we lose because we aren’t fully present. So many opportunities fly right past us without our awareness. Rather than look for a place where two paths must diverge, why don’t we start looking for the place where they converge?
With your eyes wide open, pause at your window. What do you notice when you look outside? Try this activity multiple times, if your eyes are wide open with awareness, you will notice something different each and every time. It is quite magical!
