Once You See

Feb 18th, 2011 Written By Cheryl Smith

More than a couple of years ago Peter coined the phrase, “Once you know, you can’t not know.”

I’ve been thinking about that lately, only with a slight twist.

Once you see, you can’t not see.

Have you ever discovered something new, and after the discovery, you see it all the time? Maybe it’s a certain make/model of a car, Tom’s shoes, a bestselling book or a certain flower. Perhaps it’s a new gadget like the iPad or something as simple as your favorite shade of green. Whatever the thing is, once you see it, you can’t not see it anymore.

Simplify has become that for me. My eyes are suddenly open and I see. I see Becky wrote “How to Simplify Your Small Business Marketing Plan” nearly a year ago. Camille’s Simplify blog is a treat for the seeing and there’s even a book. Thoreau wrote “Simplify, simplify.”

Earlier this week I was browsing the school intranet, checking kids’ assignments when I came across this:

I’ve never seen definitions on the site before, and I’m not sure now I could even navigate to where I found it. But this I know, seeing the image above confirmed within me that I have chosen wisely the word Simplify for 2011.

But today, when I sat down to write this post, I realized there’s so much I don’t know about simplify. I drew a complete blank. Had I learned anything this week that I could share with you? What could I reduce to the simplest form?

Only this.

When our eyes are open, we see.

I remember the lyrics to Open My Eyes:
“Open my eyes that I may see glimpses of truth Thou hast for me. Place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free. Silently now I wait for Thee, ready my God, Thy will to see. Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.”

Psalm 19:7, “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”

Psalm 119: 18, “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”

A Prayer
Creator of all the earth, open our eyes that we may see and understand the Truth that You have for our lives, this day. Help us to seek and find wonderful things in Your law that brings refreshing. As we journey together to simplify, give us a hunger for and a love of Your words. May we be willing to receive the counsel Your words have for us – counsel that will make us wise and set us free! Amen.

What about you?
What have you seen, now that you know? What truths are you learning?

Read more about The Simplify Journey and if you’re a blogger, I’d be pleased if you’d join us.

Linda

I want eyes to see too Cheryl – so many thinks. I am on the lookout for blessings (as so many of us are now) and for ways to walk in the way He would have me walk.
http://twitter.com/LoveLifeLitGod Karen Swallow Prior

I’ve been following along each week on this journey, Cheryl. I’ve been thinking about how the nees to simplify may or may not apply to my life and my needs. I have come to the realization in thinking through this that what I really need in my life is something that is not exactly simplifying–but very much related, I think–and that is ORGANIZATION. I know several areas of my life that need organization but the one I am starting with is email. That might not sound like much, but it is something sorely needed because of the natue of my work. I started this week with taking the time (long overdue!) to “unsubscribe” from many, many lists I never even look at (some of which I don’t even know how I got on). Next is to take up the longstanding offer of my secretary to create folders rather than just relying on my too-limited-storage-capacity inbox. I know this doesn’t sound big, but for me, it is. :)

http://www.culturesmithconsulting.com cherylsmith

I know exactly what you mean, Karen. My inbox had gotten out of hand this week and I felt completely overwhelmed. I’m down to 41 now, but it’s still stressful. Mike Hyatt has a great post on his site about taming the inbox. http://michaelhyatt.com/getting-your-e-mail-inbox-to-zero.html and one on managing your inbox with an assistant: http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html. They might be helpful to you. Can’t wait to hear more about steps you’re taking towards organization.

http://twitter.com/LoveLifeLitGod Karen Swallow Prior

*need
http://www.nebraskagraceful.blogspot.com/ Michelle @ Graceful

It’s so true, that phrase once you see, you can’t stop seeing. This doesn’t apply to the simplify concept, but I’m thinking of an experience I had with a homeless man here in town recently. He was standing outside the grocery store, and as I drove in, I thought, “I should buy him so food.” I tried and tried to dismiss the idea while I was shopping, because frankly, it was easier not to follow-through, and I wasn’t sure how exactly to do it, and I was sort of uncomfortable with the whole thing. But I could not shake the thought. It was like once I had the thought, once I saw the man, I knew what I had to do, and there was no escaping it.

I know that’s not exactly what you’re writing about here…but it was the first thing that popped into my head when I read your post. Now, every time I pull into the supersaver parking lot, I look for the man. I never saw him again after that night (I bought him a sandwich, an apple and a piece of pie), but I think of him always.

http://www.culturesmithconsulting.com cherylsmith

This is exactly what I mean, Michelle. Two Scriptures come to mind: “some have entertained angels, without knowing it” and “to the least of these.” You’re living out Christ’s call!

http://twitter.com/meilbheag nance|marie

i think it is true, that once we see or know, it is not so easy to go back.
even though i do sometimes forget what i have been shown.
and it seems like i go through the lesson several times.
but, the things that i should let go of, they stick like glue.

http://www.culturesmithconsulting.com cherylsmith

Didn’t Paul say something like that? The things I want to do, I don’t and the things I don’t want to do, these are the very things I end up doing?

I can so relate Nance. Sometimes I think I’m such a slow learner that God has to hit me in the head with a ton of bricks!

http://twitter.com/JoDeeLuna JoDee Luna

Cheryl, once again, your post got me thinking about this concept, “simplify.” I get so tangled up in my plans that I have to return to my Heavenly Father, daily, in order for Him to untwist the strings. Thanks for the weekly reminder.

http://www.culturesmithconsulting.com cherylsmith

Daily. For me, that word is connecting simplify with my other word for 2011 – bread. Daily. As in, “take up my cross daily…”

http://seedlingsinstone.blogspot.com Llbarkat

That’s it. Yes. Seeing is the beginning.
http://twitter.com/meganwillome Megan Willome

I’m not officially on the Simplify kick, but I will say that years of caring for a loved one with a terminal illness and then losing that loved one kind of does it for you.

http://www.culturesmithconsulting.com cherylsmith

I can’t imagine that journey Megan, but I’m sure you’ve gained a whole new perspective on life and what’s important. I’m glad you’re here, “unofficially.” :)

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http://annkroeker.com Ann Kroeker

That definition, to reduce to the expression to its simplest form (i.e., simplifying fractions, simplifying sentences, simplifying complicated instructions, simplifying the way I organize my kitchen or book collection), is a good basic approach to so many aspects of simplifying, especially decluttering. :)

http://www.culturesmithconsulting.com cherylsmith

I liked it too, Ann. Though I must say, the idea of simplifying is much easier than the act thereof. We’re learning though, aren’t we?

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http://amylsullivan.blogspot.com/ Amy Sullivan

Cheryl,
Linked up this morning, but only now getting time to read!

“When our eyes are open, we see.” Lord, help me to look at life with this open-eyed approach.
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http://www.facebook.com/laura.boggess Laura Boggess

I love Peter’s saying, Cheryl. And I am so enjoying your simplify journey! Even though my life is so complicated right now, I don’t have a lot to share. But you are inspiring me to simplify in small ways. Say no a little more. See with my heart and not just my eyes. Thanks for that. Sending blessings to hold you on the journey!
Stephie

Cheryl, (Sorry this comment is late, my BlackBerry would let me post a comment) But lately I’ve had this scripture in mind, Psalm 51:10: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” And, then, I recently read Matthew 5:8: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” I have so much to learn and see. Thanks for this post.

http://www.culturesmithconsulting.com cherylsmith

What if we chose steadfast seeing? May it be so!

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Elandmar

I am simplifying my emotional life. I have resolved three goals for as long as I can remember them: 1. Let it go. 2. No more anger. 3. No more guilt. I think if I can master those efforts, I will be a far more serene woman.

http://www.culturesmithconsulting.com cherylsmith

Those are great ways to simplify emotions. And they’re simple enough to remember, which is probably a significant portion of the battle.

Thanks for engaging here!

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