Open Your Eyes. What Do YOU See?
If you would have asked me that question three years ago, my answer would be very different from what it is today.
Three years ago I would have said “I see trees”. Today I say “I see many shades of green. I see contrast and I love the way the sun shines down on the leaves. I see branches intertwining and trees hugging. I see roots coming out of the ground and I see how magnificent, majestic and graceful trees truly are. I see birds flying from branch to branch and from tree to tree. I see chipmunks and squirrels running up and down. I see tons of tiny holes from woodpeckers, and I notice the sap that has hardened half way down. I see the sunrise in the background and notice the pollen and flower buds that are starting to bloom. I see….” Yes, I could continue and continue, but I trust you understand my point.
Similarly I could ask “Listen. What do you hear?”
Three years ago I would have said “birds chirping”. Today I say “I hear about 13 different types of sounds: birds talking, crickets cricketing, woodpeckers pecking, bees buzzing, wind blowing, waves hitting the rocks, this, that, this that, etc, etc.”
How did this all happen? How am I now able to see and hear so much more? Surprisingly, it has nothing to do with eyesight, new glasses, hearing or hearing aids. All it has to do with… is ME!
Yes, me. Soon after making a conscious decision to quiet my mind, and truly focus on one thing at a time, a brand new world started opening up, and continues to open up. Sometimes it’s surprising even to me, and I find myself doing a lot of “double takes”. How could I have taken for granted all the beauty that this world has to offer? How could I have been so oblivious to it all? How can I expedite this process? This has become part of my quest to reinvent myself, a full rebirth if you will.
Speaking of rebirth, pay attention to children. Notice how deeply absorbed they often become in whatever it is they are doing, regardless of level of complexity or the amount of time their attention is held focused. They are like sponges, taking everything in and appreciating so much of it: a twig, ants, a dog rolling in the grass, a light switch, etc. I have noticed, however, that often it’s us, the adults, who disrupt their focus because to us it may seem uninteresting and non-important. What would happen, however, if we were conscious to allow them to stay focused in their moment? To only speak to them, or pull them away, when they were done or their attention was distracted on their own. Perhaps then they would continue to ‘stay in the moment, live in the now, and continue to appreciate so many more things that life has to offer. Perhaps they are the happy people of the new tomorrow. Perhaps this would even solve the rocky communication patterns in the world: You know, the kind where someone speaks, the other person hears but doesn’t listen, and is more interested in voicing their own words rather than ensuring they understand what the speaker is actually saying. My point being, rather than children solely learning from us, perhaps we also have to open our eyes and learn a lot from them as well.
Try this. Put on a pair of “rose colored glasses”, the kind where the lens is pretty much orange or pink. Even yellow ones will do. Now look outside. Everything has a brighter hue and things actually appear different… happier, almost. So if a pair of glasses can suddenly and quickly change your perception, it is obvious that perception can be changed. And if perception can be permanently changed FOR THE BETTER, with out the need for rose colored lenses, isn’t it well worth the effort?
It makes full sense to me. It’s not actually even possible to not be happy once you discover the joy in all experiences. Truth is, at the core of it all, it is only joy that exists. How exciting!
The key is in lifting the veil that is preventing our innate joy from shining through. Having the knowledge that this is do-able, and that we can enjoy more things than we are even aware is possible, seems to be a no-brainer.. In the end, if all that is required, is the decision, the determination and our focused attention, isn’t the heightened blissful state well worth it? Added Bonus: It doesn’t even cost a penny! You in? I sure am!
Open Your Eyes. Take a look around….and Live BodyPROUD… What do you see?
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BodyPROUD: A State of Mind. A Way of Life. A Personal Mantra.
A Continual Journey that Empowers Health, Happiness, Confidence & Love of Self.
Mindy Blackstien
Visionary and Creator, BodyPROUD Movement
Founder, FAME World Tour
Founder, World Natural Sports Organization
Web: BodyPROUD.org
Twitter: @mindyblackstien // @bodyPROUD
Facebook: Mindy Blackstien // BodyPROUD Fan Page
LinkedIn: Mindy
Written by BodyProud
Mindy Blackstien
Jeffrey Kippel
BodyPROUD Chief Ambassadors
www.BodyPROUD.org
Twitter – @BodyPROUD // @MindyBlackstien // @JeffreyKippel
Facebook – /BodyPROUD ~ /I.Am.BodyPROUD ~ /FAMEworldtour
