It’s difficult to be happy when you’re uncomfortable. Many people I run into are going through life with obvious tension in their brows and around their eyes. They look like they’re suffering, not enjoying their lives. Perhaps they are focusing on their troubles, or they’ve learned the wrong idea that they have to strain to see well. Eye strain is not comfort!
Since I grew up wearing strong thick eyeglasses, I equated seeing with strain. To look at something, I had to try to see it, not simply allow myself to see it, like easily letting in the oxygen for my next breath. I approached most of the other activities in my life with strain too. Vision was just another part of this same familiar pattern.
In learning about vision improvement and observing myself and my habits, I was startled to realize how much I strained and struggled, automatically. I expected seeing clearly to be difficult, yet was determined to give it my all. I was going into a fierce battle for a worthy cause, wearing my suit of armor, my shield and sword at the ready to fight the evil Blur monster.
During the process of slowly lowering my prescription, I incorporated several relaxation techniques like meditation and EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques or “tapping”). I also practiced vision “exercises”, which were more like child’s play than a vigorous gym workout, as well as healthier ways of looking all the time. I was pleased and also a bit surprised to find not only my vision improving, but also my whole body and my attitude. My posture was better. I slept better. I seemed to be able to “roll with the punches” instead of getting upset when things didn’t go my way.
These changes toward greater relaxation and enjoyment seemed to be allowing my visual channel to open wider, since I wasn’t fighting and resisting what was coming in, or struggling so hard to interpret it I was blocking the flow. It was as if I had been crimping the garden hose before so only a trickle of water came through. I want a lush visual garden!
One of the biggest facets of vision improvement is a heightened awareness: how am I using my eyes right now? How do they feel? As the title of this post asks, are they happy? Life is too short, and too rich, to settle for struggle and unhappiness. Think of the child who is as delighted with the box the gift came in as with the gift itself, as fascinated by the bug crawling on the flower as with the blossom. Find something to delight your visual sense, right now, and as often as you remember. You deserve happy eyes!
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I wore strong glasses, then contact lenses, from age 5 into my 40s. While making many mistakes, eventually l learned how to improve the way I use my eyes and to see in a more relaxed, healthy manner. It is my pleasure to coach others to do the same. Visit me at https://NancyLNeff.com.
Great article, Nancy! I’m wondering how my eyes are going to feel when they settle on the vast green in Scotland. 🙂 xoxo
Barbara, one of the things which makes my eyes happiest is looking at greenery, my lawn, the hills in the distance, or even evergreen trees in the Winter. It’s fun to imagine I can pick out a single leaf from far far away. Green foliage is Nature’s eye balm! Have a wonderful trip, Lass.