LIFE EXPERIENCED...

"My own eyes are not enough for me; I will see through those of others." ~ C.S. Lewis

I wonder what this photographer was thinking when he took this picture. In the rain. In the darkness of night. Did he see what I'm seeing? Was his emotional response the same as mine? I think this picture is spectacular. The symmetry. The reflected light in the water-glazed cement. The darkness and dreariness of the atmosphere - defeated by the chorus of lights unfazed by the elements. The umbrella-covered and hooded bystanders whose gazes are fixed upon these giants, a sense of wonder that must surely exist in their eyes (I mean, why else would they be in the pouring rain). There is so much that I'm capable of seeing, and yet exponentially more that I am not.

The human soul - the human experience - just like a fingerprint, are each remarkably different. Everyone, in their own regard, the lead actors in the movie of their lives. What are your favorite movies? Personally, my favorites are the ones with a rich ensemble cast. The lead actor will always be the lead, but great movies separate themselves from the good, and the poor, by way of a cast made up of strong support: characters that in many ways rival the emotional investment that we generally reserve for the lead. In life, I've also found that this equally takes the top spot in terms of enjoyment. I love people. I love their stories. Like an incredible novel, I love the way that they intertwine with the story of my own life, changing mine forever. It's an eye-opening experience when you come to realize that everyone has built years of memories and experiences that are not your own. They have seen the world and events and experiences through filters that are not your own. When they look at this picture above, their thoughts and emotions will vary so greatly that it could take a lifetime to assess each and every one of them. It excites me to hear what they think. It excites me to gain perspective on what drives thoughts and opinions - where it comes from and how it's applied. Perhaps this comes from my love of books. The rich tapestry that the author weaves together: love, friendships, suffering, trials, triumph, heroics and villainy. Just like in any novel, I always place the majority of myself in the main character, but it never ends there. With so many characters, and each brought alive in my own imagination, naturally it's just as exciting to see through the other characters as well, feeling what they feel, and seeing how they see. Likewise, in life, there is so much more to be seen apart from what we personally interpret. My own eyes are not enough for me. There isn't much that brings me greater joy than spending time with some friends, a glass of full-bodied Merlot at the ready, and listening to the stories of their life - seeing through their eyes. Hurting with them in their hurt, happy with them in their happiness, experiencing more than I can ever experience alone in this life. Real intimacy. The only thing greater, perhaps, would be if it were a glass of Delamain XO instead in my hand.

I think in many ways, this is the great scale by which I see maturity as an actual character assessment: how people look to marry their independence of thought with that of others. The maturity in understanding each other, learning from each other, opening up to each other, and creating real intimacy. I can't imagine how lonely it would be to never see beyond one's own self - to never open up the doors of understanding and invite in all of the incredible life experiences that others have found.Yes - you let the bad in along with the good, but there is so much to be learned from each, and how can you ever appreciate the good without having the bad as a reference point. A plain example would be in my young role as a parent. Saying that there are bitterly difficult times is an understatement, but with that said, it makes the good times taste so much sweeter. So very, very much sweeter.

Final Confession: I'm an intimacy junkie. Nothing is more exciting to me than peeling back the layers of a person's outer shell and getting to know their story and their true self. I hate the first meeting of a new friend, and the stage between the first meeting and peeling back that first layer. I hate it because I'm an intimacy junkie. I hate it because I want to turn that next page and really start to see through their eyes. I think this is part of why I love The Well Church so much. Never have I found a place where those layers get ripped away more quickly, and deeper relationship formed without a vast amount of awkwardness. It's really amazing.