Psychology can lead to self-tutoring. The tutor brings up something he missed.

A few months after we moved into this house, we welcomed our first child – two years later, our second. Times were busy then.

I remember receiving a spice rack, then seeing it against the wall, in a corner, under one of the kitchen cupboards. It was a good place – out of the way, yet accessible. It doesn’t face outwards, but rather sideways. You can’t miss it, though, if you’re looking for it. I didn’t do much cooking back then, so its location wasn’t so prominent to me as it likely was to Diane.

Years passed. Eventually, for whatever reason, Diane started keeping spices in a drawer; it seems the spice rack on the counter fell from common use.

Attempting a recipe a couple of weeks ago, I needed ginger, but couldn’t find any in the drawer; I went ahead without it.

Today, standing in that corner of the kitchen, I noticed that spice rack, possibly for the first time in years. “How have I been missing it all this time?” I wondered. Remembering I hadn’t been able to find ginger, I scanned the rack’s two small shelves.

Most of its bottles are empty, probably long since. However, its ginger is two-thirds full.

The day I looked for ginger in the drawer, I never thought of that spice rack, because I’m not used to seeking spices there. I see it all the time, without noticing it. Why I noticed it today, all of a sudden – who knows?

Apparently, a person can develop a perception that might be difficult to break from, even to the point of ignoring obvious visual cues.

On detective shows you often hear of a case being given to a different investigator with “a fresh set of eyes.” The validity of the premise, to me, couldn’t be more obvious – especially after today.

So – what else am I missing?(!):)

Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.