Choose a Lens to View Your Life
“Ralph Waldo Emerson once asked what we would do if the stars only came out once every thousand years. No one would sleep that night, of course. The world would create new religions overnight. We would be ecstatic, delirious, made rapturous by the glory of God.
Instead the stars come out every night, and we watch television.”
I didn’t expect for those words to be printed in a book about food. I was reading Kathy Preston’s Veganist looking for new plant based recipes when I read them. They got me thinking.
Why don’t we notice the magnifigance that is all around us all the time? Before I moved to Utah, I would visit and almost get dizzy driving through the canyons. Now that I’ve lived here for more than 7 years, I’ve gotten used to my surroundings.
While hiking yesterday with my husband, I wondered how I’d gotten used to something so majestic. When I visit a new city or other places where I don’t spend much time, I do my best to take it all in. I look up and down and all around.
At home, I often view the world from a “getting things done” lens, instead of a “I’m so blessed to live in such beauty” lens, but by simply choosing to view things differently, I can better appreciate my life and surroundings.
10 ways to avoid getting used to beauty
- Find the beauty in different.
- Slow down.
- Take a different route.
- Dump distractions.
- Get lost.
- Share.
- Give.
- Love the day you’ve been given.
- Let kindness be your guide.
- Simply be inspired by nature.
The lens and filters we choose to view life all come down to one thing. Attitude. When it seems like the circumstances of your life are dulling your view, remember you choose how to see the world.
Here is the nature that inspired me this weekend…
As Mark and I were hiking and marveling over mountain streams, green meadows, vibrant flowers and breathtaking views, I am quite sure I heard God speak. He simply said, “You’re welcome.”
Look around. What’s majestic around you?
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24 Responses to “Choose a Lens to View Your Life”
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Your daily indifference to the canyons is probably ‘habituation’… it’s normal to not see/hear what you are surrounded with day in day out – or in text book terms to stop responding to stimulus you encounter over a prolonged period. I visited Utah over ten years ago and within three short weeks got used to the amazing scenery to the point of it being shameful! Habituation is some circumstances can be a blessing – those who suffer from tinnitus for example get used to the noise (and that’s a huge relief), and only when they consciously choose to hear it, do they. That’s the key, consciously choosing – there are times and instances when we should make that choice… Some days I remember to just take time to watch my children and listen to them playing…
I meant to say that tinnitus sufferers ‘can get used to the noise’ – not all do, and I would not want to diminish the suffering the condition causes. Sorry!
Jo, I understood what you meant.
Habituation is exactly what I “suffer” from sometimes. Realizing that it’s by choice though makes all the difference.
We live in the Colorado Rockies, near Vail. The mountains are out the back door. It’s so easy to take this beautiful scenery for granted. Not just the mountains, but the “smaller” things in life as well: my three year old son’s dimples, for example:)
Ahhh..dimples.
I live on the coast of Downeast Maine. 19 months ago I had cataract surgery on both eyes. I didn’t realize I had cataracts, just thought I needed new glasses. Since the surgery, it has been an amazing experience. I thought the vision I had last summer was “perfect” and amazing…but not so…this summer I am amazed at all the beauty I have been over looking all my life. My eye doctor said I had never seen clearly…many people don’t…and they don’t know any different. I can see the stars, more than I ever thought there were…not just the big ones, but smaller ones, too. I can see how people find four leaf clovers, and see birds in the trees. Today I spotted a blue heron on the top of a tree that I never would have been able to identify before…and can see into the woods and see birds on the branches of trees. …… each day I see more and more…and I will take the examples here and see how many more beautiful sights I’ve been missing. Thank you for the suggestions here. Siggi in Maine
I love that your improved vision gave you a new appreciation for the things that surround you everyday. So glad to hear the surgery was a success.
Hi Courtney,
I’m pretty sure for me it’s called “taking things for granted” and that includes the magnificent beauty around us. I too have mountain views and my husband and I make a conscious effort (we try anyway) to not take those mountains for granted, to not take their majesty as commonplace. Because it really isn’t.
I remind myself daily that I am a lucky girl to live somewhere so beautiful!!
And that “taking for granted” is the same for people. I took my Mum out for lunch on her 63rd birthday the other day and thought later that many people don’t have their Mum around to do this anymore. I treasured every moment with her.
Thanks Courtney,
Shona. xx
Shona,
You are so right. Sometimes we forget to appreciate the people that are closest to us. Happy birthday to your Mum!
Great reminder Courtney!
Too bad I live in a chaotic metro city where there isn’t that kind of magestic beauty that you have picturised here. But I also believe that beauty is in the eyes of beholder!
Let me go around my neighborhood today to find something beautiful
I’d love to hear what you find. There are beautiful views everywhere.
Because of light pollution many children who live in urban areas come to believe that stars are myths, like fairies and gnomes. Good for you to look for beauty wherever you live.
That’s an inspriting quotation, thank you for sharing it.
My husband and I often ‘thank our lucky stars’ that we live in beautiful South Wales because where you live can often be down to luck. We appreciate it every day and no matter what other areas/countries we visit, always agree that ours is the best.
What we can take for granted though is the ability to see and enjoy it!
Teresa
Teresa, That appreciation and gratitude makes the view even nicer. Glad you are so happy to be where you are.
What a lovely post. That is a great quote! Such a nice reminder to remember to look around us at all times – at home, outside, and at work. Thanks, Courtney!
Clara – That quote really spoke to me. And you are right, there is beauty everywhere. You don’t have to be in the mountains or by the ocean to be inspired and moved by everything around you.
Hi Courtney ~ I think to “Simply be inspired by nature” is a beautiful thought. Nothing makes me feel so good as taking a walk or just getting outside and enjoying all the green growing around me. :~D
Courtney,
What amazing landscapes! I live in Hawai’i so I know exactly what you mean. It’s easy to just tune out. I make a special effort to “stop the world and see”. I carve out time each day to be in nature and be as fully present as I can. Thanks for this encouragement. It’s a simple art many of us – including myself – easily lose touch with.
Great post! Living in Montana is so special for my wife and I. Not only the views of the mountains and plains but the amazing wildlife that we see daily. Keep up the great posts.
Love it Courtney! I took my daughter to the pool for her birthday, on a stormy, cloudy day. We decided to go anyway, and while we were there the clouds cleared and the sun started to come through. I was thinking what a gift God gave her for her birthday! That sun can always peek through clouds
Thanks so much for sharing. You are so correct. We are surrounded by beauty and wonder every day and everywhere. We take it all for granted. I guess it is ‘for granted’. We have been granted this wonderful earth from which comes EVERYTHING we have and/or need. It must all come from the earth because there is no where else for anything to come from.
I hope this feeling of gratitude I am experiencing will not be fleeting (usually it’s only a matter of (short)time before my malcontentedness returns).
Thanks again for pointing out we are so surrounded by beauty and bounty.
I thought of this blog today and slowed down to enjoy my life. Thanks for the inspiration. I own my own flower shop and never get tired of the beauty in nature. I think the best part is sharing it with others is a constant blessing.
Laura