The Phenomena of Focus

on March 17, 2011 by Walt Dilg

The Phenomena of Focus

It is an interesting phenomena that happens when you focus on something.  It's like what happens when a director frames a shot.  The viewer sees what the director wants the viewer to see, irrelevant or unwanted material is kept out of the frame.  When you see a television show shot this becomes completely clear - on TV it looks like Joey's living room while at the studio it's a fake room with only two sides.  

Focus draws attention to something and tends to magnify it.  I remember how glorious the Rose Parade was as my family gathered around the TV early morning New Year's Day to watch the magnificent floats.  Nearly two decades later, my family watched the parade from curbside, and I had a strange sense of let-down.  What was bigger than life, turned out to be pretty regular.  I'm not slighting the artistry, it's just that it's image on TV overstripped its reality. 

Every now and again we hear of violence in the Holy Land.  The recent murders at that settlement are a painful reminder of its reality and its depravity.  Yet, this violence is rare when you come to think of it.  As our news reports focus on these terrible events, we viewers get the impression that each moment of each day is filled with it.  Our sense of the Holy Land becomes an exaggeration that violence is a daily event and all present are in harms way.  

Our trip showed us that this is not the case.  Normal life is going on every day.  People on both sides of the issues are trying to find ways to get along.  With proper precautions, a safe experience awaits the traveler to the Holy Land.  This was our experience - we felt safe and secure - for which we are thankful.  Amen.