In Plain Sight

Things are not always what they appear; especially when bad news lands on your doorstep.  Our first reaction is assuming the worst rather than seeing the situation completely.  That’s always been the case, but it’s worse now with media fear constantly stuffed into our heads.  Over reacting to bad news sets our expectations and shuts out other possibilities. What we initially believe, even incorrectly, becomes our reality.  Not seeing things in plain sight, including good things, happens more often than not.  To experience less bad things in your life, look for the good right in front of you.  It’s there, just wait a few moments and it appears.

Medical students are taught to take their own pulse first when responding to a code.  They’ll do more harm than good treating patients while freaking out. “Not enough oxygen…wait, double mask him with an N95 mask…hold on, let’s take the lungs out.”   Wait for the dust to settle before jumping out the window.     When Diane was pregnant with David and Dillon,  our first born Devin was only 3 months old.  We already had a bundle of challenges – student loans, a mortgage, new jobs, and no money.  We weren’t ready for another baby.  When we went to the first sonogram I told Diane in the parking lot, “I think we’re going to have twins.”  “I’d start to cry if that happens” she said.  Well, sure as white on rice that’s what happened.  Everyone around us, the sonographer, the nurses, and our doctor all freaked out.  But I calmly thought to myself; “multiple tax deductions.”

In Florida I’ll go hunting in the brush and swamps early in morning around 4:00 AM when it’s pitch black and you can’t see 3 feet in front of you.  It’s confusing with no horizon, narrow foot paths, and ten foot palmetto brush blocking your vision.  One time while walking to the tree stand I heard all this racket in the brush following me possibly a black bear, but more likely a panther.  Bolting from the truck to the tree stand was the longest 50 yard’s in my life.  I couldn’t climb up into the tree stand fast enough. As panic subsided the sun slowly rose and unveiled the surrounding woods one small beam of light at a time.  With only a bit of pale light I could now see what formed the shadows and realized the woods held more beauty than terror.  As for the panther stalking me; I looked down from the tree stand and saw nothing but a Gopher Tortoise stomping through the leaves.  Challenges are deceptive; reality, however, lies in plain sight.  Slainte.