Tell me what you see.

Look at this picture and tell me what you see.

Do you see a glass half full? Or do you see a glass half empty?

Sometimes, if not always, we tend to view life from a "glass half empty" perspective. But what is it really to see from that point of view. You see, when you view life from a half empty perspective you tend to focus more on the negative things in life. Okay okay, you might argue that to view things from this perspective is to see things in such a way so we could improve things. Okay I'll roll with you. You may view things in such a way where you could improve things but to pursue perfection is to live a life chasing unicorns (sorry to those who actually like unicorns. Let me use it this time to emphasise on the word fantasy). I say this because in this 'pursuit' would we ever be satisfied? Would we ever be content? Would we be ever impressed? Answer is NO.

Even I, myself, tend to view things from this perspective most of the time. Don't get me wrong its not bad to make the best out of something or improve on something, in fact I'm all for it. But once you make that your goal, your aim, your objective, your PRIORITY, you'll find that in your chase for perfection you would keep running towards a finish line that never was! Its like a ladder that just keeps going, and going, and going, and going, and going, and going, and going, and going, and going, and going...You get the point!

We keep focusing on the things that we WANT, the things that we don't HAVE and we forget the things that we ALREADY have, things that we've been BLESSED with. We chase perfection too fast, too soon that we forget to actually just enjoy the scenery and the journey. I'd even dare to say that we NEGLECT the things we have because we want something else - something better. We can't appreciate things we already have.

Your perspective of the glass doesn't just apply to the things we have in life but LIFE in itself - the situations, challenges, struggles, pain. When things seem to be bleak what do you see?

I was reading, just recently, the story about the twelve spies that were sent out to explore the Promise Land (Numbers 13 onwards). One man from each tribe was chosen to go out and report back on what they saw. Most of them came back and gave bad reports saying it was inhabited by giants, strong big men (I'm paraphrasing by the way just in case you think I'm reading a different version). All of them but Caleb saw different.

Numbers 13:30
Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”

Funny how all of them saw the same thing, the same people, the same land, the same fruits, same everything yet the WAY they saw it was so different. See our perspectives can be deadly. They can either help us win a battle or lose them. In this case, because the people moaned and groaned, and even spread fear throughout the people the land that they were suppose to posses, they never saw. Why? because the things they saw overwhelmed them with fear and because it overwhelmed them they groaned and wished they were back in the land in which they were slaves. And because they groaned and didn't think God would help them and so treated Him with contempt, they NEVER saw the Promise Land. Only Caleb and Joshua ended up seeing the Promise Land.

So whatever it is you're facing, whatever it is your up against...

WHAT IS IT THAT YOU SEE??

Where's the treasure?!

Okay its been a while since I actually made an effort to make a new post. I won't make any excuse for it other than I'm too lazy to.

Anyway, treasure. Yes treasure could be defined as different things varying from individual to individual. Some may say its money or something monetary. And some might argue that treasure is something more than that - an attribute or character perhaps. And someone cheezy might say its being "in love." WHOA!! I don't know where that came from. I've been hacked. Well lets just define treasure here as something that you would value most, agreed? Yeah!

I got into a conversation a week ago with a family friend. Initially she asked me the usual ice breakers "Hi, how are you?" or "Hows work doing?". You know the usual. So I replied with the casual, " Yeah, I'm doing alright. And I've started working for a not-for-profit organisation." Having said this she stood there and just looked at me. It was either pure shock or "what in the world could you get paid for at an organisation thats not-for-profit" kind of look.

So she started asking me questions about it. She asked if I was been paid good. Well most of her questions were more centered around money really. So I told her that I was paid enough to get by. And she replied immediately with "Enough to pay for two wives?" I just brushed it off 'cause I knew where this was going. So she started lecturing me about how I should have a lot of money and buy a house, a car, a 5 year plan or whatever - all these material things that don't really mean a thing to me.

While she was talking I realised that everything she was saying and telling me about - how I should do it and when I should do it - didn't really mean a thing to me. And I say this with the utmost respect and honour for her advise. It just wasn't what I wanted. I realised that money wasn't really that important to me. I didn't really care if I had a beat up car, or a house in the ghetto, or a phone that didn't have colour. (Props by the way to my mate who has upgraded to a coloured screen phone. Chur bro!)

I know, I know. I'm not naive to the fact that we need money. Ofcourse we have to eat, drink, have a roof on our head. We DO need money for these, its just that I don't make it a priority to get as much as I can, as fast as I can, and whenever I can. I don't make it a priority to make money. I take more priority in dealing LIFE with people. Sharing my story, guaging where they're at and even just simply listening to what they have to say. THAT is my priority.

So I'll just try to bring it all in and conclude with this scripture.

Matthew 6: 28 KJV

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Treasure. Things we value most. So what are the things YOU value? What are the things YOU prioritise? What are the things that DRIVE you? Because if the things that drive you are the things that hurt people, if the things you prioritise are things that promote egocentrism, greed, anger, hate, pride and arrogance - Friend, you need to take a step back and assess the road your on. Because your heart may not be right. WHERE your treasure is, there your HEART will be also. Think about it.
(All these apply to me too. Im not exempt. Just saying.)

Take time, reflect, apply.

Heart check, its worth doing it often. GO!