There’s an old hymn which begins: 

“Open my eyes, that I may see  

Glimpses of Truth Thou hast for me;  

Place in my hands the wonderful key  

That shall unclasp and set me free.  

Silently now I wait for Thee,  

Ready my God Thy will to see;  

Open my eyes, illumine me,  

Spirit divine!” 

Approximately 99% of the time, I end my blogs with change the way you see and change the way you live. I’m hoping and praying that these words will provide you with a different perspective which will transform the way you interact with yourself, others, and those folks in your immediate world.  

Being blind, my perspective is different from yours. I’m not distracted by the outer world with its signs, social media ads, people’s faces or gestures, what they’re wearing, or nationality. I don’t see the homeless people lying on the streets nor do I see the people on drugs. Visual discrimination is not a part of my world.  

In my world, I go on the sounds and voices around me. For example, at this moment I can hear cars whizzing by on the highway a block away, emergency sirens blaring, the TV chattering from my up-stair’s neighbor, and the clock gently ticking beside me. In many ways, I can imagine my world any way I want-which is kind of a perk.  

On the other side of the coin, because I’m blind, people have a hard time literally seeing me. They have low expectations of me and seldom ask me what I’ve accomplished in my life. This, at times, leaves me feeling invisible, devalued, isolated, and discounted. 

Here’s a question: is it better to be blind and see the world how I choose to see it, or, is it better to be sighted and be blind to your surroundings? 

What would happen if you closed your eyes and tuned inward? 

Would you notice your environment differently? 

Would you feel your internal feelings deeper? 

How come you’re asked to close your eyes while in a meditative practice?  

Sometimes, when I’m in the midst of other people, and if there isn’t any interaction between them and myself, I go inward and visualize. I can fantasize about being on an island lying on a beach. I can be off at a musical performance. I can sit on a pink cloud and eat an ice cream cone. I can travel anywhere and in any time zone I please.  

In my world (as odd as this may seem to you) you only exist to me in my reality when we’re engaged in a conversation with me. When you stop talking or leave my immediate personal space, then, I don’t have the outer stimulus to stay engaged with you, or in the world with its current realities.  

What to do? 

Two things. (one), The next time you find yourself too busy and distracted by the world’s visuals, I challenge you to close your eyes, go in, tune into your heart space, breathe, and give yourself a time out. Five minutes of this quietude can restore your battery. (two), I challenge you, that when you see a blind person, stop, interact with them, engage with them, and find out what makes them tick. You might have something in common with them. You might enjoy the same movies or like the same hobbies, or music. By tuning inward into your inner vision and opening your eyes to those of us who are blind, you will change the way you see and change the way you live.