Testing assumptions

I had the privilege yesterday sit down over lunch with six other people in a focused discussion group. It was facilitated by a business leader who simply wanted us to explore the directions that our perceptions are taking us. He then steered the discussion into our perceptions of his industry to learn what his business could do to better serve the market share he has. One eye-opening moment came when someone brought up a thank you for one of the services that his business has provided to the community over the years. His response was profound to me in that this was the first time anyone had ever thanked him for this service. The thousands of dollars spend on this service tend to be under the radar and taken for granted. He assured us that this service will continue and it gave us a concept to talk about. Many of the service things we do for others will go un-thanked. We do not do that service to be thanked, but because we want to serve. To look once in awhile at what others are doing in service for us will open our eyes to the value of generosity. So many times I have wished I would have stopped to appreciate what I have. There are assumptions that underlie our vision. As I make a list of those, I need to remember that assumptions may blind me to new solutions. I need to “Kick the ball around” a bit and quit taking the credit for things that are mine only because of the generosity of others.

“And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.”

Luke 17:11-18