I started wearing glasses in high school. It was, in a word —disorienting. In a split second, the world went from soft and fuzzy to harsh and sharp.
Of course, I adjusted. After all, the world hadn’t changed. I was just seeing it more clearly.
This clarity, I’ve since learned, was a rare moment. Change is hard, even under the simplest of circumstances. There’s a temporary loss of balance. The world shifts and the light shines from a different angle, exposing our blind spots.
Much like an awkward teenager with a new pair of glasses, change presents us with a choice. Option one, choose to remain blind and return to the soft and fuzzy familiarity. Option two, acknowledge any shortcomings, try to see the world as it truly is, and keep moving forward.
Most of us like to think that we’d choose to see things clearly. Unfortunately, life doesn’t usually present a simple prescription for every problem.
More often than not, we don’t realize the choices we’re making or how they shape the way we see the world. We learn to tolerate more and more to the point where it no longer feels like a choice. It’s just the way things are.
Thankfully, life throws us the occasional pair of glasses. An opportunity to see what we’ve been missing and gain a fresh perspective. It’s usually a little uncomfortable at first, but we all have the ability to adjust.
Be Kind. Be Brave. Stay Awkward.
Onward & Awkward 