Fear is in your eyes
Image and words by Anne Lau.
I struggle with fear. A lot.
I don’t really know how to explain how overwhelming it can be sometimes… but this analogy helps me.
I think living in fear is a lot like having really bad eyesight.
Like walking around with +5 farsightedness. And mistaking everyday objects for dangerous ones. Sounds pathetic right? Well, truth is, that’s what fear can do.
It distorts. Blurs. Warps. And before you know it, you’re perceiving a darker, more threatening environment all around you.
People are malicious monsters.
Mounds are impossible mountains.
And if you have cataracts, you can even mistake the sun for a dark cloud.
But the good news is this: we can go to the optometrist. We can adjust our vision. Set our sights straight. And perceive a new reality.
Because maybe. Just maybe. All we’re missing is just a couple of lenses.
Maybe you’re missing the ‘you are valued’ lens. The one that teaches you to create from a place of knowing your worth, rather than a place of proving it.
Or maybe you’re missing the ‘you are empowered’ lens. The one that reveals to you that you’re not limited by your past, your insecurities or deficiencies. But you actually have it in you to learn and achieve anything you set your mind to.
Or perhaps you’re missing the ‘you are loved’ lens. Because you’ve spent your whole life seeking validation from others: your parents, your friends or even your colleagues. And it’s left you feeling a sense of emptiness.
There are many places you can find these lenses. Some find it in family. Others, themselves. Personally, I’ve found mine through my faith in Jesus. (I know it’s unusual in this industry but that’s me).
All I know is that when you do find it, you’ll see that these lenses have the power to change your entire point of view.
You put them on. And boom. It’s like you’re suddenly in a different dimension. An alternate reality. One where all fear fades away.
So to whoever is reading this, my question is this: is it time to get your eyes checked?
