The 1Life Podcast with Behka White

Episode 22 - Blind Spots

In Episode 22 of the 1life podcast, titled "Blind Spots," host Behka White discusses how interactions with others can reveal our own blind spots. She suggests that instead of reacting defensively when we feel frustrated or offended, we should adopt a stance of curiosity and ask ourselves, "What is this person teaching me about myself?" This approach can help us identify and address our blind spots, leading to personal growth and fewer frustrations in the future. Behka shares personal anecdotes of experiencing frustration with strangers and reflects on how these experiences illuminated her own scarcity mindset around time. She concludes by encouraging listeners to view challenging interactions as opportunities for self-discovery and growth.

Duration:: 3m
Broadcast on:: 03 Aug 2024
Audio Format:: aac

Welcome to the One Life Podcast with Becca White. I am your host, and this is episode 22, Blind Spots. You know, for the most part, people are doing the best they can. Now, let's be honest, sometimes, someone's best work is surprising for all the wrong reasons, because people respond to us not as we are, but as they are. We all move through the world with our very own filter, a filter which also supplies us with our very own blind spots. Each relationship informs us by shining a unique light on us, and the truth is, the people who drive us the most crazy are the ones who are most effectively illuminating our blind spots for us. When we feel anger or frustration or wronged or offended, most of the time the next step is to react in fight, flight, or freeze mode, which may include fighting back, removing ourselves from the situation or turning apathetic. But what if, instead of reacting to negativity, what if we could respond by adopting a stance of curiosity and ask ourselves, "What is this person teaching me about myself?" If we are patient and honest with ourselves, with this technique, we will learn about our blind spots more quickly, which has the potential to save us from future frustrations and offenses. So, this past week I found myself in two separate situations where I was having extreme frustration with people I did not even know. Both happened as I was required to wait on other people who were late. In the first situation, as my agitation increased to uncomfortable levels, I finally had the realization that I was sitting next to one of my daughters, who is one of my favorite people, and I was missing her and the beauty all around us. I took a deep breath, I embraced the opportunity to be with my daughter. From our seated position, we explored our surroundings, sharing the things that stood out to us. It is now a treasured memory. The second situation was very similar, except I was not able to turn that one into a win. I was just frustrated at the late people. So as I have reflected on these experiences, I have become aware that I have a scarcity mindset around time. I feel rushed, I feel behind, like there isn't enough time, and like waiting is wasted. And people who are late are inconsiderate. And so I've got some work to do around that, because the truth is, the time spent with my daughter seeing what she sees was not wasted time at all. It was a gift. So thank you to the late people. So the invitation today is this, let your anger and frustration and offenses taken be illumination for your blind spots, adopt curiosity, adopt grace, and remember, people surprising us with their very best work for all the wrong reasons are teaching us about ourselves. So thank you to them. We only get one life, let's make it our best. [BLANK_AUDIO]