First Window

The first window is our outer self. It is the part of our conscious selves that we reveal and others see. It is our public life—the open window of ourselves where people in public see us.

This is the aspect of ourselves that allows us to move openly, connect with others, and interact. We openly reveal this aspect of who we are that deals with other people, and it is influenced by how we feel, think, and act toward those around us and how those people affect our thoughts, feelings, and actions. 

(14.S: Psychology in Our Social Lives (Summary)

Starting in childhood, as we grow and learn, variable attributions develop and shape our first window. playing various roles in life as we interact in a community with multiple types of people with diverse interests, in school, church, workplace, marketplace, government, and other social groups. We adapt and conform, building rapport, acceptance, trust, and respect through our engagements that others value.

In public, while our first window is actively engaged, showcasing our outer selves as we interact with others, there are moments when we may unwittingly reveal aspects of ourselves from the third window—our blind spot—or any other window that may rise to the surface subconsciously.

For example:

I have a part of myself that won’t condone misjudgments, so when an incident ignites that part, in a split-second reaction, my peace is unhinged; my defense mechanism is agitated. My conscious and subconscious self would burn with rage in defiance, emitting fearless explosions of words, challenging the misjudgment. And I don’t give a damn if I am defying someone in authority in public. Unfortunately, in incidents like these, I ended up suffering costly consequences that embittered me, haunting me for many years.

Through the teaching on the 4 windows of the heart, God opened my eyes to see the bitter seeds sown in my heart and taught me how to uproot them and be healed.

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