I started noticing it a few years ago. I had always had perfect vision but on a visit to get my driver’s license renewed, I had a little trouble reading the eye chart. I found myself cheating just a little and using the right eye to help the left eye. I passed the exam, got my license but before I left, the woman administering the test winked at me and said, “Check your vision”.

I kept going and going and assuring myself that there was nothing wrong with my vision. My eyesight had always been one of my strongest attributes and I was fighting hard against the notion that it had somehow begun to fail me…but it had.

So, I finally decided to take that woman’s advice and get my vision checked. I went in and met with a local optometrist. He went through all the standard tests, turned on the lights and asked me, “What do you do for a living Lynn”. I told him and he nodded. He then said, “So I am guessing you spend a lot of time looking at a computer screen”. I told him yes. He said, “I can tell by your eyes that you have been doing this for some time and over the years, it’s caused your eyes to weaken. Computers are a necessary part of life; but if you are trying to keep your vision correct, they are the wrong thing to look at. Break up your time in front of the computer into smaller increments and give your eyes the opportunity to look at something different”.

Even though he went on to advise me to get a pair of reading glasses, he assured me that there was nothing wrong with my eyes. I just needed to get my vision checked so that I would know to spend less time looking at the wrong thing.

***

Sometimes in life you must be your own optometrist; you must be the one to turn out the lights and check your vision. Are you unhappy about your weight? Cut out photos of how you used to look or go through a magazine and post photos throughout your home of how you want to look…check your vision.

Having trouble finishing school? Go buy a frame for that diploma that you will be getting, pick a place on the wall and hang the empty frame on it as a reminder that one day soon; you will be a college graduate. Check your vision. Tired of living in an apartment instead of a house? Spend a few hours shopping for things that will look nice in your house, visit model homes and begin planning your big move. Check your vision…

See yourself for where you want to be not for where you are. When you take this approach, the difference will amaze you. Hey friend, do yourself a favor; take a nice, deep breath, turn on the lights…and…

Check your vision…