I used to take my windows for granted. They were just the square glass fixtures in every room of our house. Sometimes I even remembered to give them a good scrub to help maintain their luster. But recently a neighbor friend came over for coffee and she remarked about the nice "view" from the living room windows.
"You have the same
view," I said. She lived next door, after all.
"But it's brighter and more cheerful from in
here," she replied, glancing out wistfully at the rows of garbage cans we
all put out for collection the next day.
She clearly was seeing something different than what I was
seeing. I pressed for an explanation. "What's different about it?"
"Your windows are much larger, I think. And your
flowers frame the bottom so nicely. Maybe the sun hits your house at a
different angle or something," she said.
None of those perceptions were true. Our windows were the
same size. She had blooming flowers under her windows, too. And the sun
certainly didn't shine brighter on our house. After my neighbor left, I thought
about her windows in her living room.
Hers had blinds that she sometimes kept shut and she had lovely,
but heavy, curtains that hung at each side of her windows. I suppose those
choices would make them appear smaller and would block sunshine from coming in.
They hindered her looking out and I wondered if they also affected her mood.
It occurred to me that perhaps our windows are doing more than we realize.
Is it
possible we're unknowingly blaring out to the whole world our temperament, our
personalities, and quirks? Are we also influencing
our personalities? Let me know if you think I'm way off base. But first, take a
look below and see if any of these "windows" fit you.
This European window has no barriers to the outside world.
Everything and anything comes in: sunrays, scents and noise, insects; and things
going on inside may be seen or heard out. I imagine a free spirit would adore
these windows.
This room looks most like my neighbor's. It's elegant and
formal with inviting windowseats. But not much is visible unless you're sitting
in the windowseat. This arrangement encourages a contemplative personality to
sit and think.
You knew this was coming. Cat ladies, you know who you are,
a home isn't a home without a cat lounging in your window. The window stays
closed for practical reasons but you take pleasure in seeing your companion enjoying
the weather and goings-on outside.
Okay, let's face it, some people put up a brick wall both
figuratively and literally. Would you say this house belongs to someone who
wants to be left alone or someone who's busy and rarely home? I suppose it
depends on if these blinds are ever opened. Either way if I were the neighbor I
wouldn't stop over for a cup of coffee unless specifically invited.
