A Lesson in Humility

Sometimes life gives us just the right clash of experiences to allow us to realize important truths and also to gently humble us.  Two really divergent yet synergistic events happened for me over the last few weeks. One was reconnecting with old friends who I haven't seen in decades, around whom I didn't feel entirely at ease, and who I perceived - partly based on my own misperceptions- that my authentic self would not be received positively. The other was when in the company of new friends around whom I felt entirely comfortable being myself, so at ease that I didn't pay attention to signs that would have alerted me that something was amiss. 

Sometimes our preconceived notions get turned on their heads- often in uncomfortable ways . In the situation where I felt my authentic self would be misunderstood, maybe even cause discomfort for others - (what do people talk about who have very little in common and perhaps have some worldviews that clash?), I felt largely welcomed with love. I was seen, even if not completely understood. But, really, who among us really understands each other anyways? We spend a lifetime discovering new things about even those closest to us.

In the situation where I felt totally at ease - among friends who I shared interests with and whose worldview I felt more closely aligned- my authentic self was seen negatively, and I was sad to realize that in some way I had given offense.

It’s humbling to know that, sometimes, even when we're doing our best, people see the worst in us, and that we, in turn, sometimes see the lesser side of people, failing to see the beauty in them because we aren't expecting to see it. Then we are taken by surprise- on both counts.

So then I asked myself, how often do I miss a very beautiful reality simply because it doesn't match my expectations? And, by the same token, if people fail to see me for who I am, or perceive what they see of me negatively,  who am I to take offense?