A friend of mine who is a ‘car guy’ observed that there are two kinds of men in this world – men for whom cars are essential and men for whom not; the latter class regard automobiles in somewhat the same way they regard toasters; function is critical, design and style, not at all.
My car is not like a toaster; I pay more attention to my toaster than I do my car. I had always purchased used vehicles and care not what they look like or how they handle. But one day, that changed.
Recently, my wife and I purchased our first ever ‘nice’ car. It is a Buick. I marvelled at the sophisticated electronics; the sound system was a treat to listen to; it will even park itself.
We took possession of the car, and immediately I became aware of how many Buick automobiles surrounded me. At stoplights and while driving, I saw Buicks. In parkades and parking lots, I noticed Buicks. Buicks were everywhere.
I don’t think that there was a sudden surge in Buick sales; I don’t think there were more Buicks on the road than before. Neither did I believe there was some sort of automotive attraction force, drawing Buicks to me. No, there was another explanation; possession of this new car and my enjoyment of it affected my perceptions of the world.
My enjoyment of my new Buick caused me to notice other Buicks. The world seemed different because of my happiness and interest in our new car.
This idea that we notice more of what we are thinking about is not limited to automobiles. When I am in a good spiritual zone, I see that many others are as well; when I am angry and anxious, I see that many others are as well. I have learned to watch what I am noticing; it is an acid test of what I am thinking and focusing upon.
A new car and spiritual life have more in common than you might think.
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