Seeing with New Eyes: Embracing the Fullness of Life

Introduction: A Moment of Pause in Our Busy Lives

Have you ever found yourself rushing through your day, wondering later if you saw what was right before you? I know I've been there—lost in the daily grind, missing the little moments that, in hindsight, held so much meaning. Recently, I learned to pause and truly see. It wasn’t about speed or productivity but a gentle invitation to experience life intensely.

I remember a time when meetings and tasks blurred together. One hectic afternoon, amidst deadlines and hurried conversations, I stopped and asked myself, “What am I missing?” That simple question sparked a shift. I began to explore the practice of letting go of my preconceptions and redirecting my attention to what was happening around me. It reminded me that every interaction, conversation, and face has a story.

Suspension: Seeing Beyond What We Assume

Suspension, in its simplest form, means taking a moment to set aside our automatic judgments. Imagine walking into a familiar room and truly noticing the people’s expressions, the atmosphere’s energy, and the tiny details that usually go unnoticed. One day, during a brainstorming session at work, I consciously tried to listen without immediately forming opinions. The difference was astounding. Ideas that I had brushed aside suddenly blossomed with new possibilities. Wasn’t it amazing to realize that by simply pausing, you can start to see the deeper connections that unite us all?

Let me ask you: When was the last time you allowed yourself a pause—a break from the rush—to see what was right in front of you truly? What might change if you stepped away from your habitual reactions, even briefly?

Redirection: Turning Our Gaze Toward What Truly Matters

Building on suspension is the idea of redirection. This is about shifting your focus from the obvious details to the essence—the generative process that makes everything come alive. Consider when a quick fix at work was designed to solve a problem immediately but only created more challenges later. I witnessed this firsthand with a team stuck in a cycle of patch-up solutions until they decided to step back and look at the bigger picture together. That shift in perspective made all the difference. It revealed that every problem, no matter how daunting, carries an opportunity: an invitation to re-imagine and re-create.

In our personal lives, redirection can transform everyday experiences. I once had a challenging conversation with a dear friend, and my emotions ran high. Instead of diving straight into our usual defenses, we both took a breath and redirected our attention to understand our underlying feelings. That conversation turned from a potential conflict into a robust, healing dialogue. It made me wonder—what if we could all redirect our view and see the problem and the rich landscape of emotions and stories behind it?

So, I invite you: How often do you stick to the familiar solutions? What might you discover if you tried to look beyond the immediate fix and saw the world from a broader perspective?

Everyday Examples: Practical Steps to a Fuller Awareness

Let’s explore some relatable examples:

1. Transforming Team Meetings:

Picture a typical team meeting. Instead of racing to solve issues, the team observes the first few minutes in silence. When everyone finally speaks, they share problems and insights about the underlying dynamics. This simple practice has led to innovative strategies and a renewed sense of unity within the team.

2. A Personal Shift in Daily Routines:

Think about your morning routine. What if you allowed yourself to truly observe your surroundings for just a few moments—the way the sunlight spills through your window, the aroma of your coffee, the sound of the city waking up? This small change can transform a mundane start into a mindful, enriching experience.

3. Reframing Difficult Conversations:

Last year, during a particularly tough discussion with a colleague, we tried something new. Instead of preparing counterarguments, we both listened deeply. By redirecting our attention to understanding the heart of the matter, we found common ground where we hadn’t expected any. It turned a potential conflict into a step toward lasting understanding.

Conclusion: An Invitation to See More Deeply

Imagine if every moment held the promise of a fresh perspective—a world where we saw what is and what can be. This journey of suspension and redirection isn’t just a technique; it’s a way of living with more presence, curiosity, and connection. Each pause and redirection is an opportunity to rediscover yourself and the people around you.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions on this subject. Follow my LinkedIn for more newsletters dedicated to exploring these profound ideas, or drop me a message if you want to chat. Let’s continue this conversation together—one pause, one redirection at a time.

Stay present, curious, and see the world with new eyes.

_________

Prof Jack HM Wong

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