Yesterday at this time, I was being wheeled into surgery for a new artificial lens to replace my cataract-affected lens. I went home about an later with a “see-through” patch on my eye. This morning, with the patch removed, I experienced a “re-birth!” I could see like I never saw before – better than 20/20 vision, with a clarity that I thought was reserved for what I’d see in heaven. In contrast, my formerly “good eye” now saw things with a yellowish haze. I felt like hugging Dr. Wong this morning at my post-op appointment. But I settled for shaking his hand with gusto.
The amazing correction in my visual acuity affected my perception of the world. Not only do I see things much more clearly, but I also am developing a greater appreciation for what I see. An appreciation for life, if you will.
One of the thoughts that went through my head – via my “new” eye – is how relative everything really is. My “good eye” – yesterday, the one I counted on – is my “bad” eye today. And my “bad” eye yesterday, brings me more pleasure today than I can describe.
So, I’m thinking how a correction that is made in our perception – analogous perhaps to my cataract surgery – can change our world.
For example, sometimes we make an impression about someone based on a behavior we see. But, if we realize that everything is relative, we might try to realize that that not-so-impressive behavior we witnessed is just one of many behaviors — most of which are impressive. Conversely, we might look at other behaviors that are impressive, and realize, in time, that there are other behaviors with which we are not impressed. Thus, we see that the “bad” is not so bad, when we see that there is good to be seen also.
So, if we can excise a cloudy lens from our eye to make us marvel at the world, perhaps we can excise a cloudy decision-maker from our psyche. Then we can see the forest for the trees. We can see that life is beautiful, and that people are only human. Everything is relative. Why not see the good in everything? The good in my “bad” eye? It’s better than not seeing at all.
Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com
