See Don't Look-- guest post by Thorny Gates Shattuck

Thorny wrote this last week. I asked permission to share here, as a guest blogger. He gave it and included one of his art pieces. 

This is Misty, one of his cats from days gone by. This art piece is from January 13, 2019.

 "See Don't Look"

I was getting too anxious about things. My things and other people's things. Worried about a friend and not knowing what to do. Can I be helpful? Maybe I should have asked questions? The questions that my mind is   seeking answers for now. I never learned to question folks on things. I figured they would tell me what they wanted me to know. Yet I don't share with people what is really going on with me. I might share a sliver, but not true feelings. So why should I think people would tell me what's up with them? Some do.

So I pull into a parking lot to play a game on my phone. It is a matching game that doesn't really take much thought. Well it doesn't unless I make it difficult.  I played, I keep saying "see don't look"  see don't look...over and over.

See Don't Look. What does that mean? See don't look.  See the whole and things pop out.  I match them faster.

I will never win this game. That isn't really my goal. My goal is to distract my mind for a little bit.

See Don't Look. see don't look... A feeling grows that this is a Great Spirit teaching moment. What does that mean??? See what is there without analyzing what it is.

Color: pink, object: shoe.  so then I search for a pink shoe to match. That is looking. It slows me down and I don't get far. It is me being narrow minded.

See don't look... I'm stuck in this loop. See, don't look.

When I let my mind just see what is there, things pop out here and here - a match.  Here and here another. Boom, boom, boom. Accepting what is there before me. Taking in the whole, not just my narrow minded quest.

Looking is harder and slower. I run out of time with less matches. 

So maybe The Great Spirit is telling me something. just see, don't look. Well what the heck does that mean? See don't look?  See don't look....

When I look, I don't really see others around me.  I might notice how they are dressed. I might notice the shape of the masks they wear.  I might note the outward images they use to protect themselves. I might not really see them at all. I'm good at being alone in a crowd.  We all do it to some level. 

There are so few people who live into being and showing their true self. these people are rare, but what a treasure to know and be around. A blessing to be a part of their life.

I can only be that way with people I feel safe.  even then, it is difficult for me. I am who I am, but I keep a forcefield up.

I need to learn to see and not look. I need to see the Life Force within. Not look for what I think others are. I need to see the Great Spirit within them not look at the outside facade. See who they really are. See them.

The Life Force can only be felt when I am open and receptive to learning.  

When I'm seeing, I'm seeking. 

When I'm looking I'm trying to force my views. my mind is narrow and working so hard to make  life, people, events, fit in the wrong spaces and i miss out on the beauty that people are.  

I must see my true self and find the space I fit.  

I can't make people be where they don't fit. If I let go of my prejudice, I can see and learn who they are.

I admit I always thought I was exceptional about allowing and accepting people as they are. 

Then I ran smack into a wall of prejudice. It's not easy to admit. So do I apologize to these folks? They might not even know. They probably do. Maybe just change my behavior? Is that being a coward? What is the right thing to do? I don't know. Never been good at social norms. 

don't look for what fits my past experiences. See what is real. Be, see, become free.

Thorny Gates Shattuck 

10/10/22

(Originally posted on his Facebook page)