Don’t Look at Life Through a Narrow Lens.

I have been having a rough few years. My three closest friends have died. I’ve spent most of the time without a place of my own. It seems a time of darkness, at times it seems hopeless. But the hard times are not the whole story of my life.

If I defined my life through the narrow lens of difficulty I would be doing my life an injustice. How can I define my life as trouble when I was raised in a loving home? How can I consider myself poor when I’ve had friends from six continents all around the world? So many riches stretch beyond my trouble.

I’ve heard Sohyang sing and Stevie Ray play. I’ve seen the sunset and the glory of a breaking day. I’ve known and loved people of every hue. I am a rich man. Perhaps richer than you. I’ve enjoyed Cajun food, Italian, Mexican and the rest. If I saw my life through the lens of only trouble I could never see the rest.

And so during a rough time, I know that’s not all there is for I refuse to see my life through a narrow lens. So I acknowledge the tough times as I travel through. I know they are just a part of life’s rich tapestry not the whole. So because I can see the broader view I can be positive even in trying times.

If you look at your life through a narrow lens you will miss so much. If you look at groups of people through a narrow lens you will never get to know and appreciate them for who and what they are for you will see a incomplete picture of reality. If you look at our county’s history through a narrow lens you will only see a small part of the story. If your focus is only on the negative you will miss all the positive.

I’m not a poor man going through a hard life. I’m a rich man going through a hard time.

Beware the narrow lens.