We don’t know what we don’t know!
We don’t see what we don’t see.
Scotomas are proof of this mystery of life!
Scotoma is defined as a blind spot in our field of vision. Every mammal has a location in the eye that lacks photoreceptor cells. In other words, we all have areas of limited information within our visual field.
Though every person has a blind spot, scotomas can be a symptom of a larger issue or degenerative disease in the body. Scotomas can also be temporary and not a big issue. Essentially, blind spots should never be ignored.
In our daily walk, it takes mentors, friends, family, and God to show us through our blind spots. Sometimes it just takes experience to give us the wisdom we need to remain on our path.
I Was Hit By A Train in My Blindspot
Most people don’t live to tell the story of being hit by a train. You’re welcome!
A commuter tram traveling downhill at an increasing speed of 45 mph at the time of impact, nearly ended my life. This accident in 2017 in a foreign country was completely my fault and I was fortunate that no lives were lost, including mine.
In this life-altering event, I made a left turn at the cue of my GPS into an intersection that just so happened to have a blind spot. I failed to stop, look, and listen. The tram totaled the car and hit the car just inches from the driver’s door.
There was an angel or perhaps a multitude of them that saved us. Another angel in human form on the tram (Daniel) who witnessed the accident, went on to be my translator and guide for the entire next year as I had to settle the various legalities.
We never know when we are entertaining angels, or when they are serving us. In this case, there is no question of their involvement.
Revealing the Blind Spots
Though there weren’t any major injuries in the accident, my perspective changed. It gave me new lessons to talk to my kids about. If a train can literally be in my blind spot, how much more are we missing? When we go through brand new intersections of life, what hurdles, dangers, or fast-moving locomotives are waiting to detour us…or run over us?
I’m already an innate overly protective parent, but life gave me the wisdom to give back to my kids, the power of stopping to look and listen. Even when I know nothing is coming at the crossroads, I continue to remind my children we must take the precaution.
For parenting and being a good spouse, we must take that time to also look and listen to our family. Observing their gifts, talents, and curiosity are just clues to how to serve them better…it’s a way of sharing something that can’t easily see because it comes so naturally to them.
Because we homeschool with a natural learning approach, we study our kids as much as they study their interests. And it goes without saying that when you study your spouse, this can provide better tools to connect with them in the “love language” that they speak.
Accepting the Blind Spots
Looking and listening is a powerful tool for our professional journeys. Many of us on the journey of finding our purpose, or the right jobs, or entrepreneurial paths, or seeking fulfillment at work, have to eventually go through brand-new intersections. These new experiences and hurdles help us grow. These crossroads, though they seem simple, always tend to trip up the best of us.
Frankly, we just don’t know all the answers in life…even the smartest of us. We have to accept our blindness and learn from the sages that have gone through the intersection before us. And even for those intersections of life that are actual roundabouts, don’t be afraid to go in a couple of loops before choosing your turn!
If you are going through a brand-new intersection of life for the first time, there are blind spots…trust me! So here is some advice:
Look for TRAINS! Sorry, I couldn’t resist, but I’m serious about this because it could be life or death.
Look at your ego. I have an ego, so I’m preaching to the choir. My ego masks as determined stubbornness. To release the ego is also to submit to the right timing or an outcome that is bigger or different than your original intentions. It’s great to set goals but be open to flexibility when there are more lessons to be learned.
Look for your why. A saying that never gets old to me is that when you know your why, you know your way. Knowing your purpose in life gives clarity when the blind spots.
Look for your success measures. Reimagine what success looks like that doesn’t include money. Resetting the mindset and reimaging the impact can help propel you on the journey forward.
Look for your mentor. Other people know you’re blind! Especially the ones that are at least one step ahead. Don’t ever be afraid or above asking for help. A mentor, guide, coach, or just a good friend will be your bifocals for you!
Look for God. Sometimes our blind spots are tests. These tests are our memories and faithfulness. God has a voice and He speaks to us any many ways. He speaks through His Word, the Bible, through others, and situations. Look and listen for the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Moses in Deuteronomy 4:32-39 had to remind the Israelites multiple times of how and why they escaped Egypt. A word that stands out in Deuteronomy 4 is “trials”. These trials over 40 years in the wilderness, were tests to grow their faith, their walk, and their love for God.
It’s not fair to ask anybody to spot their own blind spots. It’s dangerous and not helpful. For this reason, it’s why we have communities, and it’s why we should share our own journeys with others. It’s why we are to love others.
We need others in our life to help us to look at and through our blind spots. Be encouraged if you live after being hit by a train in life…this too may have a purpose that will help someone coming behind you through the same intersection.