Lessons from a Cup of "Tea" and Transformers

One of my new favorites!

Mmmm, Tea

I've had run-ins with rooibos before, and I remember being underwhelmed, so naturally I was hesitant to try this South African red tea from Numi. This time, I took a moment to look over the box and found some key descriptors--earthy and vanilla. Two pieces of information I didn't have on my last tasting some odd years ago.

You see, upon first tasting I was evaluating the drink with no compass telling me where to look or how to interpret the signals of taste I was experiencing. Later, having been given the keys of "earthy" and "vanilla," I was suddenly able to read into what made the beverage what it was.

Proper Evaluations

If only it could transform
into something more serious...

We've done this before. You look at someone or some thing and you think you know what to expect. You think you know what criteria to evaluate based on. Only later, when you've made some crucial errors or given way to grievous misunderstandings do you realize that you (or that thing, or this product, or that business) were speaking an entirely different language.

I'm reminded more casually of the Transformers movie franchise, where I expected some seriously dramatic robot wars, and what I got was special effects and bathroom humor. (I've since tried to rewatch these--they're still not quite what I'd like from a Transformers movie, but it helps to know that what I wanted was not at all what they had been trying to make.) 

Life, the Treasure--Communication, the Map

That's a pretty low stakes example. What about when you're in an interview process for the job of your dreams? What if you're on a first date with that someone you've had your eye on for weeks? What if things aren't going so well between you and your spouse, and they've been steadily declining? These things matter. These things directly affect the direction and quality of your life.

We need to be prepared to interact on the same communicative level as the people around us. Communication--proper communication, where what is being said is equal to what is being heard--is the unifying tool that maps out this all-too-confusing system, where everyone has his or her own unique experience of the world. Communication is the glue that holds us together.

Do a Double Take

Is there something you've passed judgment on that begs a re-evaluation? Is there another way of looking at something that can afford you a better experience? Do a double take when you feel basic judgments coming on, and you'll discover a wealth of experience all around you.

Keep an eye out for these opportunities in the coming days, and let me know what you discover. I'm eager to hear from you! Until then, stay safe, get your shopping done before the last minute, and I'll see you next week.