How Observant are You?

By Elena Blume

When going into an experience, do you observe the positives, the negatives, perhaps a little of both?

Recently I looked at a beautifully elegant photograph of a scenic Italian view.  The buildings stretched unto the horizon as the steeples peaked beneath the golden sunset.  Having been to Rome, myself, immense and treasurable memories wandered through the cobblestones of my mind.

The person who posted the photograph mentioned requesting a room with a view and humbly was granted his wish.  While the room was magnificent and his view spectacular, the rumbling of the elevator behind his wall was at times understandably objectionably unsettling.

Perhaps he was given the magnificent room next to the Elevator shaft, in order to encourage him to see the rest of Rome and not temptingly stay in his elegant room too long, for in Italy there is much to see.

An elevator is significant in many ways when you think about it.  There are people in the elevators who go up and who go down.  Sometimes there are people who work in the elevators guiding the ride and pushing the buttons.  It can be an excellent form of transport.  Some elevators skip certain floors alluring mystery.  An elevator can bring awkwardness or clarity.  Sometimes you may select the floor of your destination.  Generally this is the case.

Elevators are containments so to speak as well, the carrier of our body as the body carries our soul.  It is good to get off on the correct floor. Sometimes that might be the workout floor, sometimes the restaurant, sometimes the sky bar.  Maybe it’s the Lobby, or your room that you chose to request.  It could be the Ballroom, or even the Conference Meeting area.

The point of the story also reminds me of a man I knew and will not ever forget, the father of a friend.  He rode with me up a very popular avenue during the Holiday Season.  The lights were atop every building.  There were many holiday decorations up and down the avenue.  During twilight, there were lit Holiday Trees every twenty feet or so lining both sides of the drive.  The only thing my friend’s father noticed, however, was the one tree that had shorted out.

It was very poignant. It saddened me deeply how he could not see all of the immense beauty surrounding everyone.  I once, myself, had a limited view.

Knowing him, however, and thinking about this over the years as time has passed and I have grown, he probably contacted the city and had the light on that tree lit in a matter of moments.  Perhaps while he only commented on the shorted out tree, he did in fact notice everything with the understanding that every tree on the drive was important and valuable.  Hard to guess at this point.  I’ll hope for the latter and for his genuine happiness.

Sharing such a magnificent view can be enlightening.  I will choose to look with gratitude towards every view, even when it may be a bit challenging.  When focusing on a glass of milk, however (and in my case soy milk), I will choose always to see the glass half full.

arrivederci