Oblivious and loving it!

Recently my family was eating dinner out and it was a beautiful day so we opted for the patio. The patio was fenced in by a waist-high fence separating us from the parking lot and entrance (classy I know).

Our kids are always making us laugh so as per usual they were cracking us up with jokes, impressions and I’m sure Nijel was beatboxing, when Isaiah pointed out a woman who was smoking on the other side of the fence quite literally blowing her smoke towards our table.

“Unbelievable!” I thought….how does this woman not see that she is completely poisoning us with her 2nd hand smoke! I am not one to stay quiet and so I politely said, “Excuse me ma’am you are smoking in our face.”  (to which Rebecca responded with a “mo-om!” ) The woman looking somewhat annoyed turned and moved slightly so that she was now up wind of the table next to us which worked for us….not so much for them; so I got off my soapbox against smokers who completely disrespect the air of those who choose not to die of lung cancer, and rejoined our family dinner.

I could continue to rant about how inconsiderate she was but this blog really isn’t about her…it’s about us who are like her. Sure most of us would not puff smoke in someone’s face oblivious to their personal space…but where are we suffering from a severe blind spot that encroaches on others and we are in complete oblivion to it?

Blindspots. We all have them and I’m not just talking about when we are driving (though some would do well to pay attention more to those). They are the areas of our life that others see…but we are completely and totally unaware of them and until someone points one out we are oblivious and loving it!

I’ve had the privilege (I use that word very loosely) of being in a meeting where I invited people close to me (and some not so close) to point out a blindspot ( I have a few); areas where I am puffing on others and I don’t even know it. One of those blindspots is my need to be right. I get so caught up in it I don’t even know I’m doing it…meanwhile the people around me are being choked out by my 2nd hand self-righteousness!

Where are we blowing smoke on those around us with our blindspots? Are we willing to ask those close for some feedback, are we ready to hear the truth? Truth may hurt, but it is also the path to freedom.  ”Ignorance is bliss” is only half of it….The knowledge and understanding that comes from self-awareness is empowering, so go for it….ask someone about a blindspot today.

“Paul….”

We’d love to engage in conversation with you….tell us about a blindspot you have been made aware of.

Prov. 4:18-19