visibility.
Stick In My Eye
A true story.
Last Tuesday I walked straight into a stick. Forcefully blindsided as I moved full speed ahead. To my defense, it was dusk and there was limited visibility. The major problem? The stick was protruding at eye level. The impact struck me in such a way that I presumed I’d been rendered blind. I’m not even kidding.
Maybe I’m being a bit dramatic but it did hurt.
And spoiler alert, I am not blind, nor injured in the least.
I just didn’t see it coming.
Isn’t that the way?
Life happens. Challenges. Roadblocks. Troubles. And we just don’t see it until it pokes us in the eye.
Take 2020 for example. I didn’t see that coming.
I started off strong. Embracing the change. Adopting new habits. Engaging. Making videos. Writing. Painting.
Until I didn’t.
I just stopped. All of it. Everything. I gave up. I quit. I decided it didn’t matter. The word “trivial” running through my mind.
What I didn’t see. Or couldn’t see is the stick stuck in my eye.
Sticks hurt.
My pain. Your pain. Our collective pain. The weight heavy. Overwhelming. Acute at times.
My vision dimmed as the grip of uncertainty stripped me of purpose. Significance. Joy.
That’s what happens when perspective is skewed. Everything blurs together. Visibility fades. Our footing becomes unsteady.
So rather than attribute my lack of creativity to devastating world events and personal melancholy I decided maybe painting and writing weren’t for me anymore.
Poor visibility will do that.
Now don’t get me wrong there are times when our pain is not at the periphery. Times when it takes every ounce of strength to battle it’s ache. If this is you right now give yourself grace. Pause. Seek restoration.
But I’m talking about the dull ache that quiets our voice. Steals our significance. Persuades us to hide.
That which whispers, “give up”.
By removing the stick from my eye I discover I’m not blind. Nor injured. I’m just super uncomfortable. Like dragging my feet uncomfortable.
Sharing is like that.
Personal. Transparent. Risky. A walk toward the impossible.
So why engage at all?
For me, writing is life-giving. Untangling thoughts. Processing ideas. Expressing feelings. Sharing seems like a natural outpouring of this abundance. And from that spills the lofty goal of encouragement.
And oddly enough sometimes you need a poke in the eye to remind you of that.
I must say I didn’t see that coming.
“The most important blog post is yours. Even if no one reads it but you. What you write is what you need most. It’s a compass and a mirror, a chance to put a stake in the ground, and refine your thoughts.”