When I retired, I made myself new business cards. I decided to put a short statement on it, indicating the focus I wanted in my retirement, and I chose this statement often attributed to Marcel Proust: “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but seeing with new eyes.”
Seeing with new eyes…what a challenge!
I’ve been reminded of that challenge this week. A minor disagreement triggered a need to look back at a “tender spot” from my growing up years. It was a situation that changed the trajectory of my life–and I realized that I had not fully dealt with it.
It’s always easier to become aware of the impact of some situations in hindsight, but when you are willing (and take the time) to look at any particular situation from a different perspective–with new eyes–you can learn a lot about yourself.
I’m also learning that when I am willing to look at the people around me and the world I live in with new eyes, I can gain a new appreciation for the giftedness of others…for the diversity of the created world…for the opportunities–and challenges–that face us and that will require us to work together for the good of all.
We don’t have to travel far from home to embark on a journey of discovery. All we have to do is open our eyes–really and truly open them.
Preacher's Kid 