I know, I know. It is not a mistake and I am not suffering from Spoonerism either ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoonerism).
Recently I have been reacting to conversations with my friends and family with a bit of asperity though I did not express my reactions overtly. I felt a bit awkward and mulling over my reactions. I started pondering over the intent behind those comments and read between lines to see the logic behind those comments made. I was flustered and frustrated that those that are so close to me would be so insensitive to my feelings. Deep down I know that they have my best interest ONLY and they love me dearly that they will never do anything to hurt me.
I started to introspect about the emotions these conversations are stirring up. Why wouldn’t anyone empathize with me? Why is that the conversations are full of platitudes and bromides? Is that a reflection of what the perception of others? Do they think I am so inept that I can’t see the obvious?
I knew my feeling negative was based on rather tenuous rationale. As much as I believed the comments were made in good faith, I began seeing wolf in sheep clothes. I was alarmed as my ambivalence already formed a tenebrous abozzo. I started seeing these comments as proverbial wolf in sheep clothing.
As I mulled over time, feeling incredulous that my kith and kin would be so oblivious to my feelings, it began to dawn on me. What if what what they are saying are not meant to hurt me? What if they are well intended comments to help me and not hurt me. What if they are sheep in wolf clothing?
It all came down to how I perceived the comments, not withstanding how they are intended, giving them the benefit of doubt that they are well intended. It came down to proverbial appearances and first impressions, which we all know can be misleading (sometimes).
Take for example this photo taken with a Sony Nex5, a 14MP range finder style APSC camera that “looks” pretty harmless but packs a punch. This image taken from a roof top bar in Bangkok, Thailand.
Taken at 0.6 sec shutter, f/3.5, iso 800. handheld shot.
Or this one, at 1/4sec, f3.5 and iso 800, handheld.
Both of them were taken with this small camera. Indeed a “wolf in sheep clothing” in the most positive sense,
On the other hand, here are examples taken with my Sony A99M2 + Sony 70-400G lens. Though the lens is a zoom lens, these are close up images.
All the above are taken with a “mean” looking camera and lens combination that is as sweet to handle. My Sony A99M2 + Sony 70-400G (gen 1). It does look imposing and it is, weighing around 2.5Kgs (5.5lbs) but as sweet to handle as Nex5 which comes in at a mere 300 grams (0.66 lb).. What I call my “sheep in wolf clothing” set up.
The lesson I learned is that don’t let the appearances influence you. In order for that not to happen, I need to be fully aware of my emotional state and discount the “emotion quotient”, (is that a real thing) and look beyond to not just what is said, but who said as well. It is always “me” that causes the problems and resulting consternation. So I have decided….
As friends and family we come together to enjoy the company, companionship and fellow ship. Why not then just enjoy each other’s enjoyment
