What You See Is What You Get

I had cataract surgery the other week – both eyes. It is amazing to wake up in the morning and see clearly without having to first put on glasses. Colors are more vibrant, and I am noticing things that I wasn’t able to see before. Sadly, these things also include the wrinkles on my face, grey hair, and brown spots.

I have worn glasses for more than half of my life and I always thought of them as an albatross, literally around my eyes. I chose my eyeglass frames carefully as I was actually creating what my face would look like, kind of like choosing which components to add to an emoji. My eyeglasses became part of my identity and style. Now that I only need glasses for reading, my face is an open canvas and I see a lot more irregularities.

In a previous piece titled “I Am Cataract Old,” I wrote about how the “old age diseases” creep up on you and how these events may become certain catalysts in one’s life. Well, with one “old age” ailment taken care of, I now see others – wrinkles, brown spots, and nonsense.

I Can See Clearly Now

Yes, I know the imperfections were always there, but now I see them more clearly and don’t have spectacles covering them up. Don’t get me wrong, I love my new eyesight, it’s just that sometimes what you don’t see, won’t hurt you. Now with 20/20 vision, I see EVERYTHING and that means coming to grips with the entire picture, warts and all.

Amazingly, this new clarity in vision trickles over to the inanimate. I have seemed to gain a super power in detecting poppycock. They say with age comes wisdom, and I now see people for what they truly stand for, not just what appears outwardly. Yes, this is a metaphor, and I am taking this opportunity to bring clarity in all aspects of my life.

It’s interesting how one action brings more focus to another (no pun intended). As I embrace seeing my surroundings for what they truly are, this also includes seeing certain behaviors as they are and making appropriate adjustments.

Cataract Surgery Is Truly Eye-Opening

Just as I will be applying makeup differently to my face, and may even select a different color palette to accommodate what I am now able to see more clearly; I will now concentrate on surrounding myself with people who share my values and bring joy to my life. I will focus on living authentically. I will no longer let my eyes deceive me (pun intended).

Cataract surgery truly is eye-opening. I am thankful for the clarity it has brought me in seeing everything! No more blurry lenses. What you see is what you get.

Let’s Discuss:

Are your friendships changing as you get older? Was there ever an “a-ha” moment that put you on a certain path?