1. My focus was on the beauty. Being a typical toddler, she was experiencing things for the first time. It was almost like I was seeing through her eyes. I think about her recent interest in the outdoors and that maybe she’ll enjoy more nature activities as she gets older. Maybe she’ll want to be a botanist, agriculturist, veterinarian … ok I’m getting ahead of myself but you know that’s how moms’ minds work. Her personality is blooming, and it’s fun to watch. The opposite focus here is on the potential danger. This can also be where our minds shift as parents. All around us are things that could cause our children harm, some seen and others not. It can be a constant back and forth between these two, but these perspectives cannot really co-exist successfully. It seems one will always win out.
2. Only one of us sees the whole picture. Many times our perspective is shaped by what we don’t see. The things that could happen. Although I didn’t take the picture myself, it is my backyard so I recognized exactly where she was sitting. Also, the angle is lower to the ground so the weeds appear higher and you feel like you’re on her level. The other person can only see what’s in the frame. The “what if” that may be lurking right around the corner. When we focus only on the possible dangers, we miss the beauty in people, things and opportunities. I’m not saying don’t be cautious and aware, but realize that many things are beyond our control and may not even come to pass. It can be a waste of time to focus on them.
Both the fear of potential danger and beauty of life are present in almost every circumstance. With kids, the opportunities to fear can amount to a lot. I want to choose to see the good, the beauty … as many times as I can.
And maybe one day when I’m low on patience, my view will be the opposite. I may only see the fear of uncertainty. I hope someone else around me will see the beauty. I pray that they would point it out to me in that moment.
