A businessman was highly critical of his competitor’s storefront windows. “Why, they are the dirtiest windows in town,” he claimed.

Fellow business people grew tired of the man’s continual criticism and comments about the windows. One day over coffee, the businessman carried the subject too far. Before leaving, a fellow store owner suggested the man get his own windows washed.

He followed the advice, and the next day at coffee, he exclaimed, “I can’t believe it. As soon as I washed my windows, my competitor must have cleaned his too. You should see them shine.”

As I reflected upon this story, I am struck by how often our judgment about someone or something is influenced because the window through which we look, is clouded.

Does the experience change if we are looking through a positive, streak-free glass, as opposed to a negative, clouded one?

Will our feelings change if we look upon one another with caring, instead of disdain?

Do we look through a glass of dreams and possibilities, or is our vision blurred by self-imposed limits?

Is our judgment distorted by the dirty windows in our own storefront through which we view the world?

Think about how the way in which you see the world may be clouded by the window of the world through which you are looking. Should each of us, before we begin making pronouncements about others, take the time to make sure we are seeing clearly. Keeping an open mind and letting go of assumptions gives us such a great opportunity to give and receive help and support from every available resource with in our circle.

As Johnny Nash wrote,

“I can see clearly now, the rain has gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day”.

Yes, I do windows!

I Care, Barb