Why Do You Look For What You Do?

Have you ever wondered about why we see what we see?  Or, isn't it a little conspicuous that we tend to only see what we're looking for?

At one level, it's just obvious.  Is this really news?

But, why?  Wouldn't it be important, even helpful, to consider why we look for what we do?  ...because it so obvious that we do it, whether we do this or not is hardly even the question.  So, why do we do this?

I'm going to make this post a little more 'live' today — like adding to it, as my contemplation on this question comes and goes:

• I often see something, especially when I look for it — that could be interesting, even good.  But, very problematic, too. (10a)

• Two people can see the same event, read the same book, be at the place...and see, perceive, and feel very different things.  How does that happen? (11:50a)

• Is there just one reality of something?  Only one 'real' occurrence, idea, or truth? (12:39p)

• What influences such perception?  Is it built-in, like gravity? (4:14p)

• Is it sociological, like air? (7:36p)

• Is it experiential, like muscle?  Mental, like memory?  Spiritual?  Conditioned? (8:54p)

• Do we look for certain things as a means of reinforcing our sense of identity?  As a mechanism for our credibility, our survival. (9:48p)

Or, is it more simple than all of this — humans just tend to look for what we're familiar with and not we're not?  So, just let me be; I like what I like, what I'm comfortable with.

The problem, though, is when our disposition to wonder stops looking for (and, therefore, seeing) anything different...and the challenges that differences bring to the table — the openness that is required — we also lose other things, like the capacity to genuinely imagine who someone else may actually be (rather than just how we see them or want them to be), not mention to love them in the differences they represent.

So, how can 'what do I look for' change...to 'what can I look for'?