A New View on Life

Welby O’Brien

“Great Scott! Are you serious? Pretty sure the mirror is broken, because this looks like me in 40 years!”

Ah. . . the side effects of cataract surgery they forgot to mention.

Eventually pulling myself together after that reverse Photoshop awakening, I was flooded with a gamut of delightful surprises. Tears welled up as I marveled at the tiny sprouts of new growth on the tips of the cedars. And later the actual rain drops in a refreshing downpour.

Then suddenly, out of nowhere appeared little splotches of food in lovely places like the cabinets, wall and floor. The best surprise was when I found that glob of toothpaste that had fallen off my toothbrush a few nights before. Looks like I have my work cut out for me from here on!

Sitting now, without my glasses, I’m reminded of the prayer for “the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Whatever our challenges and changes may be, we choose how we respond.

As I continue on this new journey, I’m less likely to be critical of how someone or their house looks. I’m less likely to walk past a blooming flower without reveling in its beauty. And I’m more likely to be grateful every day for the privilege of appreciating our many blessings — past, present and future.

And is it my imagination, or is the food tastier, the songbirds sweeter, and the air fresher? (The drugs have worn off by now, so it’s not that.) I think when we’re willing to embrace something new and beautiful, we discover the beauty that has been there all along.

Now it’s up to us to choose to see it.