Are You Blind To The Obvious?

I know habits and preconceived perceptions can make us blind to the obvious.

However, I thought that I usually have a good grip on paying attention. I enjoy exploring ways to be more effective and finding easier ways to do things that need to be done.

So it both surprised and dismayed me that I missed something so simple.

To make life easier for my future self, I often squeeze a full bag of limes and lemons and then freeze the juice into cubes. Do it all at once, and it’s easy-peasy access for the next time I need some.

It’s not my favorite task. I need blue medical gloves, so the juice doesn’t sting, something to listen to while I work, and a block of time.

But this time, it was harder. I had to keep moving the limes around to get all the juice out, and I had to switch hand positions because I had fallen a few weeks before and bruised my hand. Nothing serious, but it brought my attention to the process.

Later, taking the juicer out of the dishwasher, I noticed—finally—that it was no longer in alignment. No wonder the limes kept slipping out, and I had to put them in multiple times.

How long had it been broken without me noticing? Looking back, I remember a few sessions of juicing struggle, so my guess is it had been broken for quite some time.

And I never checked to see what was wrong. I accepted it was hard. It had to be done. So I did it anyway. I was blind to the obvious.

How often do we do this in our life? Much too often.

Although I love finding better ways to do things, question almost everything once in a while to make sure it’s the best product, the best timing, the easiest way, and still, I missed this simple thing.

The juicer was broken, and I kept on using it because I hadn’t noticed.

We often don’t notice that something is broken. We are busy. We are distracted.

Perhaps we haven’t noticed that something isn’t working in our business, or how we take care of ourselves, or our relationships.

Yes, once I noticed and accepted that the juicer was broken, I ordered a new one. That was easy.

However, it’s often harder to order a new way of being, a new relationship, a new way of doing things.

But we can.

A few things have to happen first.

Here are a few things to do that may help with this all-important process of noticing:

This may be a long list. If so, take one thing at a time.
Don’t bother wallowing in guilt for not noticing that it was broken. That only makes the pain worse.

If not, why not?
If yes, when?

If yes, do so. If not, let it go.

Then, ask for help. But only from someone who can actually help. Don’t ask for help from anyone who will either make it worse by making you feel guilty or justify why it’s broken so they or you can be right or deny that it is.

Yes, it was easy for me to order a new juicer, but all broken things in life are not always so easy to fix.

Some take more time, more wisdom, and more patience.

So take one step at a time, listen for guidance, and trust in the process.

Notice when something is hard to do, and then check to make sure something has not become broken.

In the long run, fixing a problem is easier than living with it.