jill111 / Pixabay

Yesterday I sent a video to my team. It was inspired by the commencement speech of the late David Foster Wallace in 2005 at Kenyon College. We often miss what’s in plain sight.

Wallace had a much more eloquent way of expressing his thoughts than I do. But I will tell you I was captivated by the notion of life being what’s in plain sight. The people who inspire me most in life always believe it. No big magical thing happens in living a good life. In short, it boils down to how you choose each moment. It’s how you accept the big and small experiences that make up your days.

At the check-out line

Last week, I wrote an article about a moment at the check-out line at a store. Briefly, I was stuck in a frustrating situation with not enough cashiers. Also, I had to figure out an unfamiliar check-out machine. The reason I write about it is that it’s the same scenario Wallace spoke about in his speech.

Each day, we all wake up to live our days. And some of us wake up inspired, motivated and driven­­. Of course, it’s not all the time because we’re human—but the vast majority of the time. Others wake up to the utter boredom, routine and petty frustrations that Wallace speaks about in his remarks.

I’m the center of the world

Unfortunately, in our human experience, many of us can’t see beyond the tips of our noses. So, we miss so much of the realities of others and the wonders of the world. As Wallace said, we spend our days frustrated at the glacial pace of our lives as we go to a stressful job or drive home in heavy traffic. And then spend frustrating time in lines doing the mundane, but necessary things, such as picking up groceries.

We live a lot of our lives being “me-centered” with the entire world. And that’s especially true with strangers—assuming they’re  in our way. If only the person on the telephone would stop speaking so loudly, you could think! And if only the terrible driver would get over to the left; you would be able to get home quicker. If only your colleague stopped interrupting you all day long; you wouldn’t have to stay late. Again. All of that kind of thinking is centered on one person—me.

The real freedom of life

When Wallace gave his talk, he spoke to young adults about to embark into their lives. Many were probably idealistic, full of energy and hope for the future. But more than likely, some of had fallen into the trap Wallace warned. Perhaps they hadn’t realized one of most obvious realities about life. It’s the fact your perception influences how you chose to see the world. In short, it determines our respective existences.

Real freedom for living comes from understanding you have the choice to determine how you see the world. So, you can choose to see it as the whole world against you. Or, you can decide to see it through a lens of compassion, empathy, and connection to everyone else.

Being aware of what is in plain sight

As I said on many occasions, people have a natural disaster happening in their lives every day. But, you just don’t know it. You don’t know about the man driving slow in traffic because he lost his wife. And you don’t know about the woman at the register frustrated with the cashier. She’s barely slept as she cares for her baby who is sick at home. You don’t know about your colleague who keeps on interrupting you. Earlier in the morning they learned that the bank loan was denied for medical treatment his spouse.

What does it take for all of us to see the plain truth? This moment is genuinely ever our precious time on this earth. All it takes is becoming aware of the choices we make. We have to decide how to face life’s inevitable boredom, frustrations, and mundaneness.

In other words, we all have a choice. Every day. We can create the narrative in our minds to make our days good or bad and filled with annoyances. Each of us has the opportunity to consider how we to choose to live the countless moments in our lives before they cease. And, according to Wallace, it all starts awareness of the realities. And yes, even the banal—especially that—in each of our lives.

 

Author of “Not Your Father’s Charity: Grip & Rip Leadership for Social Impact”(Free Digital Download)

© 2018 Wayne Elsey and Not Your Father’s Charity. All Rights Reserved.