If you don’t like what you see in front of you, you might try looking in a different direction. Or you might take a look at the glasses on your face. Sometimes it’s not the world that needs changing as much as the lens we view it through.
Ever notice how when you’re tired, grumpy, hungry, sick or stressed, the world takes on a nasty hue? Things smell worse, food doesn’t taste great. TV isn’t as funny or poignant. The whispers of children sends shivers into your spine. You want to open your front door and herd all pets and humans to the curb. That grotesque world you see is from the crap-colored glasses you’re wearing.
And usually when you’re rested, fed, happy, well and relaxed, the world seems like a nice place to live. Flowers smell nicer, food tastes richer, TV writers are gods, the voices of your children warm your heart. And in that state, you are tempted to pick up a road-side puppy or a free kitten to add more love to your home. This snapshot of loveliness you feel is from the rose-colored glasses you’re wearing.
Events can conspire against us to wear us down. At those times, we might get weary and crabby. Other times, everything seems to go our way, and we are left feeling energized and calm. Regardless of which state you find yourself in, you can make matters better or worse depending on the tint of the glasses you choose to put on.
A friend of mine with a baby complained to me that a train blows its whistle loudly when it rumbles through town each morning at 2. a.m. Her daughter used to sleep right through it, but over the last couple of weeks, the train would wake the girl who would scream out in panic.
After many nights of interrupted sleep, my friend told me that she knew what was going on. “I’ll bet,” she said with utter seriousness, “that the guy blowing that whistle is so bitter that he has to work through the night that he intentionally lays on the horn to spite those of us who are at home trying to sleep!”
Yes, I’m sure that’s it. I’m sure his actions are motivated by bitterness and resentment. What he’s doing has nothing to do with the law or his desire to warn any sleepy motorist near the tracks that 100 tons of steel are barreling down the crossing.
Crap-colored glasses. Put ’em on, and the world is a dark, scary, stinky place.
One time my dad had his wallet stolen out of his suit jacket that he left on the back of his chair at work. He later found his wallet in the bathroom, credit cards and license in place. But his cash was gone. His comment to me later that day? “I’m so glad I got the credit cards and license back. It’s a pain to renew those.” About the missing money, he said, “I guess someone needed it more than me.”
Forget the fact that someone violated his personal property and space in the commission of a crime. Forget that someone caused needless grief, worry, and inconvenience for an hour until the wallet turned up.
Rose-colored glasses. Put ’em on, and the world gives you a reason to be grateful. And losses seem like generous, voluntary gifts that we willingly bestow on the world.
When you need to adjust your sight today, which color lens will you reach for? After all, it’s a choice.