Tunnel Vision

It is easy to get tunnel vision about things.  We become focused on one thing, or we condition ourselves to look at things in a specific way and we miss important things that occur.  We simply fail to see them because our mind gets in a "rut" to some extent.

The best way to avoid tunnel vision is to constantly challenge our mind with things that are "outside" our normal way of thinking.  We must constantly exercise our mind, just as we do our body.  Practicing critical thinking skills on a daily basis is necessary to maintain the ability to think through problems and to see relevant information that is not directly "in the path" that we are used to traveling.

The thing that triggered my thoughts on this today is the controversial comment by AOC regarding Rep. Dan Crenshaw's need to "do something about it" as an accusation that he was unwilling to support a bill related to victims of the 9-11 attack.  Her focus seemed to be on providing money to those affected -- many of whom live in her district.  His opposition, to her at least, indicated he was unwilling to fight for those affected.  There are many things about this that are ironic:  First, she was partially lashing out in defense of her friend and fellow Democratic freshman Omar who is Muslim, just as the perpetrators of the 9-11 attack were Muslim.  Crenshaw had previously called Omar out for saying, "some people did some things."  It appeared Omar was minimizing the event as "no big deal."  Second, Crenshaw is a veteran of Iran and Afghanistan and lost an eye in service to his country -- specifically, against anti-American elements in the area of the world from which the perpetrators came.

My comments aren't "in defense" of AOC, but this example points out how one can develop a closed view based on their focus and completely miss the reality around them.  This is part of what is widening the divide between those of a "liberal" persuasion and those who are more "conservative" in their views.  We each become totally convinced that we are "right" and those in opposition are "wrong" when the reality is likely somewhere in between -- if there is a clear right or, wrong at all.  Often, it is more one of viewing a problem that is commonly recognized and seeing totally different approaches to a solution -- but not always.

I wish it was that simple -- just a matter of two different approaches to solving a commonly recognized problem.  It seems that isn't the case in most instances.  It is probably more about power than anything.  Problems are approached as opportunities to gather power, not as something needing to be solved -- at least by our lawmakers.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am sick of it.  Once upon a time I thought a career in politics was something I wanted to pursue; I'm happy that my career took other directions.  It seems that today, the political landscape is about as corrupt as it has ever been in history.  Sadly, it will never get better until God says, "I am making everything new." (Revelation 21:5)