Look at The Moon

I can’t remember at what point I realised I needed glasses but it was long before I actually did something about it or even cared that I couldn’t see much past an arm’s length ahead.

“I see too much anyway.” Is what a younger me thought.

Only when it got inconvenient, when it started causing issues, did I give in and set up an appointment with the optician to see how bad it is.

Not only did the doctor confirm that I do, indeed, need some sort of visual aid but he also gave me a glimpse into what my vision is supposed to be.

The crispness of his face. The details of the office and the dust on the clock further back. I couldn’t even see the numbers on the clock minutes ago.

I was stunned. I didn’t even know it was possible to see so well. What was I thinking waiting so long to do this?

I got excited, waiting for my glasses to arrive. The biggest, roundest ones I could find — a statement piece.

The first time I wore them, I was disoriented. Feeling I could only describe as a sensory overload. Is this how people see? They walk around seeing everything? And I mean everything. Seeing every single leaf on a tree. Every spot on a face across the street.

Seeing in the optician’s office was one thing — it was contained. But now I’m outside and I have some adjusting to do.

One day I was going home from work, just after 7 pm. Wintertime. It was already pitch black outside.

It was a long day and I just wanted to get home as soon as possible. Putting my headphones in as I was coming up to cross the road, is when I saw it — The Moon. It was the first time seeing a full Moon, with full vision. It took my breath away, I couldn’t fathom how majestic it was.

I was so overwhelmed I called a friend, not even caring about how absurd, childish or over the top one might think my reaction was. Look at the Moon. How are people not talking about it?

I’m sure you’ve tried taking a photo of it before. It’s slightly different now as smartphone cameras are getting insanely good, but take it a few years back. Taking a photo of the Moon or the stars always ended up in disappointment. That is how I used to see it. And to see it as something straight out of a NASA documentary left me breathless.

I am outside, raving about how gorgeous it is, people walking by like it’s nothing. Am I the only one seeing this?

My friend is still patiently listening to me ranting about my discovery and a reignited love for the Moon.

“I agree, it is beautiful. I guess people are used to seeing it. So it’s not that special anymore.”

That experience still makes me stop and think: what else are we missing?

The moment I saw the Moon every negative thought and trace of a bad mood disappeared. It’s as if it seemed irrelevant considering what was in front of me.

Though I was looking at it with “fresh eyes”, it’s all about perspective, which we can take into other areas — not just obsessively admiring a rock in the sky (although it is encouraged).

Observe everything you can as if you are seeing it for the first time. By doing so, you are bringing awareness to beauty around you (what else is there to life, really?).

With all the distractions and chaos of daily life, we continuously fail, or refuse, to see the beauty in it.

So stop for a second.

Take a breath, like it’s the only thing that matters.

Drink your coffee as if it is the last one you will taste.

See your partner as if you haven’t met before.

Observe with no judgement. Suppress the need to compare.

Fall back in love with life.

People, look at the Moon.