Scotoma Anyone?

Although the actual definition of scotoma has to do with a partial alteration in a field of vision, it can also be used metaphorically, "The common theme of all the figurative senses is of a gap not in visual function but in the mind's perception, cognition, or world view." (Wikipedia)   I first became aware of scotomas through reading Steven Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  (A book, by the way, that I consider a MUST read for anyone interested in personal improvement and professional competency.)  In Covey's book, there is a picture that may be perceived by some as a fashionable young lady, or the face of an old crone.


Since then I've run across the concept in various places and have referenced it in many presentations and sermons.  It is all about perspective.  The most interesting thing about this concept is how difficult it is to realize when you are locked into one way of perceiving a situation.  Take the picture above for instance.  When you first saw the picture you immediately perceived either the young stylish woman or the old crone.  There would have been no thought in your mind that the other possibility even existed.

If find myself pondering this from time to time when faced with challenges at work or in life in general.  I'm especially more likely to ponder whether there is another way of looking at a situation if it has to come to a moment of crisis or a blockage to success.  In those times I try to allow my mind to open to new possibilities, remembering my Mom's old adage "there's more than one way to skin a cat."  Usually with a little effort I can find a new path, often one better than the original, through the challenge.

Harder is when there is no crisis or blockage, for at those times it never even occurs to me to think about other options.  I often wonder how many missed opportunities have come my way simply because I had tunnel vision, or more likely, overconfidence, in how to proceed in a situation.  The lesson for me, and one that I seem especially slow to learn, is to not move too quickly and to consider other perspectives.  A good way to do this is to get other opinions.  I have to confess when I was younger I often avoided getting other opinions because I: a) already knew it all, b) didn't want to listen to anyone else, or c) was afraid that someone would discover a flaw in my plan.  As I grown older and somewhat wiser I've learned to not feel as threatened by other's ideas.  Taking the time to garner this kind of input is also a weakness for me . . . I typically want to move NOW.  But, the benefit is that in getting the input the decision is usually better.

Harder still is when I feel under attack.  In these situations I don't even want to consider that there might be a different perspective.  I want to assert my righteous indignation; to feel the victim of the nefarious doings of obviously ignorant, or even wicked people.  I've been reading through Proverbs lately with my wife and I have a found a couple of verses which cause me to think that even in these cases there might be a scotoma at work.

• "My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke" Prov. 3:11
• "Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you." Prov. 9:8

Obviously the one being rebuked is NOT particularly thrilled at the time of the rebuke!  

Perhaps even in the times when I am dealing with the greatest sense of attack there is another way to perceive the situation.  This was certainly true for me over a year ago when I experienced being "downsized" for the first time in my life.  At the time it felt like betrayal and an accusation of poor performance.  But through that experience God helped me to see a new future with a new hope, one that included leaving the old position with positive relationships.  

Keep you eyes open, there is always a different perspective on any situation.