The difference between looking and seeing
I was in my mid-thirties before I learned to appreciate art. Growing up, I thought art was just about looking at something beautiful and appreciating that beauty. But, in my thirties, I learned art is more than that. It's meant to move people. It's meant to stir emotion. Art isn't meant to just be looked at; it's meant to be seen.
Looking seeks to perceive. Seeing perceives. You might look for a police officer with a speed gun, but seeing one impacts your behavior.
In the same way, people don't want to be looked at; they want to be seen. Looking considers a person's situation, seeing empathizes with it. Looking at someone experiencing homelessness and quickly looking away doesn't help that person. But seeing a person experiencing homelessness is different. When you see them, you recognize they are a person, a mother, a father, a brother, a sister, or a beloved child. You see them and empathize with the hardship that put them in that situation. And that empathy turns into action, even if that action is a simple nod to let them know you have indeed seen them, that they aren't invisible.
People want to be seen and understood, not just looked at. Just like art is deeper than my first experience of it, so are most people; we just have to be willing to see them.
Looking considers action; seeing demands it.
Posted originally on my blog adamjwalker.com
Great reading from this week
According to the state of Florida, you are likely “woke”
This is an excellent post from my friend Mickey. Woke is a big buzzword these days, but simply put, by Florida’s definition, if you believe there are any systemic injustices in America that should be addressed, you are “woke.” Please read this article, it’s worth your time, and he also gives examples to make his point.7 Signs You're Too Cautious
Number 1 on this list, over 90 percent of what you try works out. It makes me think I need to test out some new things.‘Underreaction’ Is Your Best Parenting Tool
I think underreaction also might be one of your best life tools!Serve others by taking care of yourself
On Real Pink, the podcast from Susan G. Komen, I talk to many women that serve others to the detriment of their health. We can’t help others in the best way possible if we aren’t at 100% ourselves.
Book recommendation
Thirst: A Story of Redemption, Compassion, and a Mission to Bring Clean Water to the World
This book is a must-read if you are in the nonprofit or marketing space. What Charity Water has built is inspiring, and the way they market, it is some of the best marketing in the world. This book is worth your time.
Great podcast episodes from this week
How Your Beliefs Shape Reality - Hidden Brain
What we believe about the world profoundly impacts how we experience it. This episode does a fantastic job of explaining and expounding on this idea.Episode 234 - Difficult Conversations - The Long and the Short of it
If you ever need to have a difficult conversation, this is a great framework to help it be productive.The truth about caffeine - Like Kit
Caffeine may not be as bad for you as you thought! Winning!
My podcasts to check out
Tech Talk Y'all - My tech/comedy news podcast.
Real Pink - I host the national podcast for Susan G. Komen. If you want some inspiration or information about breast cancer, give it a listen.
While Daring Greatly - My podcast.
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