In a sense it might even be said that our failure is to form

Opening Scene

The room is softly illuminated by the warm glow of a table lamp, casting gentle shadows as the evening winds down. Outside, the city hums quietly, the usual bustle of life fading into stillness. Jack sits at the table, flipping through a book, while Jeeny stands near the window, lost in thought as she gazes out at the view below. The atmosphere is calm, but there’s a sense of contemplation in the air, as though a conversation about habits, perception, and the way we relate to the world is about to unfold.

Host: After a few moments of silence, Jeeny turns from the window, her voice steady but filled with thought, breaking the stillness.

Jeeny: “I came across a quote by Walter Pater that made me think. He said, ‘In a sense, it might even be said that our failure is to form habits: for, after all, habit is relative to a stereotyped world, and meantime it is only the roughness of the eye that makes two persons, things, situations, seem alike.’ It made me reflect on how much of our lives are shaped by habits, how we tend to rely on routines and familiar patterns to navigate the world. But, in doing so, we often miss the deeper complexity of situations and people. What do you think? Do you think our habits limit how we perceive the world around us?”

Jack: “I think Pater is pointing to something profound about how we see and experience life. Habits are useful because they give us a sense of stability and comfort, but at the same time, they can make us complacent in the way we perceive things. When we form habits, we start to see the world in stereotyped ways, categorizing everything and everyone into familiar boxes. In doing so, we often lose sight of the nuances that make each person, situation, or experience unique. Habit can be a way of simplifying the complexity of life, but it can also blind us to its richness.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. Habits make things predictable, and predictability can be a comfort. But, like you said, it can also create a narrow lens through which we view the world. The ‘roughness of the eye’ that Pater refers to makes me think about how we often perceive things in broad strokes — things or people become ‘alike’ to us because we’ve assigned them to a category based on our experiences or routines. We don’t take the time to really see them for what they are in that moment. It’s like the difference between looking at something in a rush and really stopping to examine its details.”

Jack: “Right, it’s about the difference between perception and awareness. Habit is like a filter that allows us to move through life quickly, without thinking too much about what’s actually in front of us. It’s efficient, but it’s also lazy. When we rely too much on habits, we lose the ability to see things with fresh eyes, to engage with the world in a more present way. The complexity of life often gets lost in the repetition of routines.”

Host: The conversation deepens, and Jeeny moves closer, sitting across from Jack. Her voice steady as she continues.

Jeeny: “And I think the danger of forming habits, as Pater suggests, is that we start to close ourselves off to new experiences. We stick to what we know, what’s comfortable, and that prevents us from fully engaging with new ideas or perspectives. It’s easy to become rigid in our thinking when everything seems to fall into familiar patterns. The more we rely on habits, the more we risk losing the ability to be open to the richness of life.”

Jack: “Exactly. It’s like we’re living in a world of generalizations, where everything is simplified into categories that don’t capture the true essence of what’s around us. Habits can prevent us from truly appreciating the diversity of life. If we see everything through the lens of habit, we start to miss the small details, the subtle differences that make life beautiful and complex. It’s not until we step out of our habits, consciously breaking away from them, that we begin to see things as they really are.”

Jeeny: “And that’s where growth happens. It’s when we step out of our routines and habits that we allow ourselves to expand, to be challenged, and to engage with life on a deeper level. It’s hard, though, because habits feel so comfortable and safe. Breaking out of them requires conscious effort, but that effort is what makes us more aware of the world around us. It helps us see things with more clarity and appreciate them for what they truly are.”

Jack: “Exactly. And I think that’s why habit can be both a strength and a limitation. On one hand, habits create efficiency and give us structure, but on the other, they can prevent us from seeing life’s full spectrum. They’re a shortcut to simplicity, but that simplicity can also be a trap. We need to find a way to balance the convenience of habits with the openness to see the world as it is — not just as we’ve become accustomed to seeing it.”

Host: The room quiets for a moment as Jack and Jeeny reflect on the deeper meaning behind Walter Pater’s words. Outside, the world continues at its usual pace, but inside, there’s a quiet understanding about the importance of awareness, openness, and the need to move beyond routine to truly appreciate the complexity of life.

Jeeny: “So, maybe the lesson here is that we shouldn’t let our habits define the way we see the world. We need to make an effort to step out of our comfort zones, to break the cycle of routine, and to truly experience life without the filter of habit.”

Jack: “Exactly. Habits have their place, but they shouldn’t limit our perceptions. By challenging ourselves to break free from them, we can discover the richness and complexity of the world around us, and engage with life more fully.”

Host: As the evening continues, the conversation wraps up with a quiet understanding. Habits can be comforting and useful, but they shouldn’t define our reality. To truly see and experience the world, we must be willing to break free from our routines and approach life with fresh eyes, embracing its complexity and diversity. Only then can we fully appreciate the beauty and depth of what’s around us.