Through another’s eyes

It has been a blessing I have given myself to truly listen to others of this world. Happening upon conversations with strangers & making acquaintances.

I wonder as we all go about our busy lives if any of us truly take the time to input the information from those around us. It was when I watched someone, studying their eyes as they looked upon a farmer’s field it really struck me, there are so many things I myself see as everyday occurrences that this person may view as something special.

Where I grew up, and in my travels, I drive by fields this time of year of corn, barley etc. To me this is natural. It is by no means prosaic. Our local fields are a thing of beauty. Americans are still privileged to till our earths soil. Sadly, this concept will one day be a part of our history. As farmers are going extinct with imported foods, and chemically induced products entering our markets.

That will be another post though, my feelings on tradition. With that thought however- studying someone else’s eyes I wonder what it was like for them, growing up in another Country. Does it feel as if it was another world? To me growing up in the rural life, I was lucky enough to learn about growing my own lettuce, properly driving a tractor, and butchering our food properly. In general, the experience of freedom was taught to me. The foundation God has given us. The birthright I was given was complete opposite of some. Sure, we all watch the news, read of the unfortunate, even make ourselves feel better by giving to charity that one time of year… what is our impact though?

While single handedly we cannot save the world, and can only pray for Governments’ to do better at their jobs I wonder what can we do in the meantime?

It is understanding. When watching someone in an experience I accurately & faithfully understand this other person’s life. Whether they know it or not they are teaching me and giving me knowledge to change my own perspective for the better.

So, staring at a local field this time of year I can imagine the hardships of finding food for a family to eat, the lack of that freedom to grow one’s own food, the inability to do anything for oneself without the local government wanting control. Yes, we pay taxes, but does anyone know of a farmer sent to jail because while tilling his soil gave an opinion on our Country or our Government? This OfCourse is my own example… of the hardships faced by Gods children in other Countries that without proper perspective can feel a world away from our Country we call home.

Countries that call themselves a Democracy are still putting their citizens in jail for simply stating an opinion or even rumored to do so. Our birthright of sharing opinions, voting & fighting for one side or the other is taken for granted as much as the field of barley growing in the summer sun.

I once thought of myself as one side of our government verses the other, more and more I am realizing that my thoughts are muddled. How can we help others by blocking them form their businesses, and how can we stay our traditions and feed our children healthier products by shoveling out the old for the quick and advanced? How can we help others escape persecution but close our borders? How can we advance in technology while sticking it to our foreign neighbors that at this moment may be raising a citizen that has the answer. Most importantly how can I find a path to help a child in another country learn how to grow their own lettuce? To feel deeply what I was able to feel of the birthright God gave me? The honor I felt raising my own food is indescribable. The joy I was given to watch my child experience an egg hatching a baby chick is now a core memory of happiness. These experiences are my own but can be shared and taught.

With our own neighbors here in our states I say let us start with home and pray the trend reaches the furthest areas of our earth. If one can only purchase and give to charity that is truly some help. But if one has a skill, they should share it without fear. I am not claiming to be better than the next. However, I am stating for myself, when the sun rises into tomorrow, I will be reaching out to my own neighbors not too far down the road to find out how I can share my experiences of childhood and pray it reaches the distance. I will no longer say why bother? There may be that one or even two others that truly and faithfully listen to me. That are looking for someone to gain knowledge from. This I say, I want to be a better person because of someone else’s perspective. Because they saw an everyday occurrence to me, as something of appeal to them.

As for that person viewing the field, seeing it as such beauty I cannot wait to experience more insights to another part of Gods world. I thank you for leading me to so many thoughts.