Objects in Mirror are Closer than they Appear
Who hasn’t noticed those words? If you’ve ever sat in the passenger side of a vehicle, you’ve probably seen those little words which are actually a safety warning and are required to be engraved on the passenger side mirror of all motor vehicles in the U.S. Why? Well to make a very long explanation, that has everything to do with physics short, it relates to the way light bounces off of a flat surface versus a convex surface, and the way the side mirrors are positioned to compensate for angle and distance in relation to the driver’s eye. This compensation although offering a wider viewing angle sacrifices accuracy, making the image thats being reflected appear further than what it really is.
So what does that all mean? Basically, that when sitting on the drivers side everything you see behind you through the passenger side mirror is closer than what you think.
I can appreciate this warning, as it helps to decrease misperceptions of the space between me and what lies behind me. And on many occasions having been able to gauge the distance has kept me from major collisions!
Just yesterday morning, there was a terrible car wreck that left pieces scattered all across the 4 lane wide street. I couldn’t help but wonder what had happened, and if one of the cars had not seen the other coming and maybe miscalculated the distance. This happens more often than we know and not only on the street or highway but in our lives as well.
Though we don’t have a side rearview mirror per say, just like our cars, the objects of our past are closer than they appear. Whether it be a person, habit, memory, or situation it is necessary that we measure the distance we keep in order to avoid an accident. Many times as we look back we let our guard down, and our perception of how close the past is to us becomes distorted, and we suddenly become wrapped up again in past drama. Though we may have moved on from who or what we once were we must keep in mind that if the proper distance isn’t kept, we can easily merge into what once was without even noticing that its happening. The warning sign is there for a reason not to make us insecure and fear being haunted our whole lives but rather for motivational purpose; to keep us moving forward at all times so that we don’t allow the gap between us and our past to close in and quietly become us.
Praying you avoid any and all collisions with your past this week and that you have the strength to keep the distance from all those things you left behind at one point. If they didn’t serve you then, they will not serve you now!
Be Blessed!
Out of Bounds
Win! Win! Win! Thats the attitude all the time, anytime, every time! Okay…I admit I can get carried away at times. Like the time I cried in Monopoly during a “friendly” family game because I wasn’t winning. (please note that I use that “friendly” term very loosely as we all know there are no friends during competition) Not because Im a sore looser but because I take winning very serious. Even while others see a casual game of whatever it is we’re playing as “fun” I cant help but feel a deep NEED to win. Almost as if my reputation depended on it. I guess in part it does, as my performance has to backup all the trash talk I do before hand…..yes, yes, I know its hard to believe, but I can in fact dish out my fair share of smack talk, infuriating my opponent, making the win all the more crucial!
So just last week we had a “friendly” < ahem….clear hers throat > game of volleyball at work. This was our first ever staff-volleyball game and of course my team had to win. Amateurs at best, we were having a good time laughing, making fun of each other, and celebrating when we managed to keep the ball going back and forth for more than one round. One point for that team, one point for this team…but I have to admit I was getting a bit tense when I saw they were ahead. When all of a sudden the ball was thrown in my direction and though I leaped to hit it, I missed and then I heard the call from my team …”Out of bounds”! It was a bit hard for the others to get a clear view of the ball, as I happened to be in the way so I went with the call…Out of Bounds. Truth be told, I saw the play perfectly and the ball was inside the court. Okay, okay, don’t judge me! Remember, I told you I take winning very serious and this was no exception even if it meant making a false call.
But before you stop reading and dismiss me as a cheater, bear with me, Im going somewhere.
Out of Bounds: beyond any established boundaries or prescribed limits; prohibited; forbidden.
Though as it pertains to this game, the play was a good one, and only I knew where the ball actually landed, I cant help but compare this to the times in life where I have been living Out of Bounds and have tried to give others the impression that I have been inside the court so to speak. Does anybody hear me? You know, those times where we are clearly out of our limits, out of line, in violation, cruel, improper, inappropriate, unwarranted, uncalled for. Not exactly the things we like to admit to, but I know Im not the only one.
The times where I have served the ball of life and though clearly past the limits, I have wanted others to play my game. Yet, just like during the staff volleyball game, others may not have a clear view of where I’m at, but the one who matters most …me…will always know if my play is a valid one or not making the difference between the extent to which I can enjoy the win or not.
My team did not win the game that day. The opposing team won 3 out of 4 games. Obviously, the call on that play didn’t make a real difference in the large scope of things nor did I feel any sort of remorse for having made a false call to our advantage. In fact, if we would have won, I wouldn’t have given that play another thought and I would have savored the win as if it was a snow cone on a hot summer day…but all things in perspective, it was just a game people!!!
Would a win taste as sweet if it was off the court, in real life, and Out of Bounds on my part?…….my answer is No, what about you?