Years ago an energy teacher told our class that fear and excitement are both triggered by the same neuro-chemical process, namely a surge of adrenaline. The difference between those 2 emotions lies in how we interpret this body sensation, which is based on whether we feel safe or in danger.
This was a fundamental insight for me, who had been looking for the solution to my near-constant anxiety and fear. What was wrong with me, and how could I correct it? To think I needed to learn how to feel safer in most circumstances not only made perfect sense, it also gave me something to do rather than keep trying to fix myself and my vision. I wasn’t broken!
To help myself, I studied and practiced grounding exercises and being present, imagining that I was steady and sturdy, like a tree. I learned meditation and other energy healing techniques, to be calmer. And as I usually do, I wondered about how this related to my vision. I realized I felt very safe seeing close-up, as if words were my friends, yet nervous about looking in the distance.
To this day, well past the age when most people need reading glasses, I can read small print with no trouble. I have always loved to read, from the time I was a small child on my father’s lap, with him reading to me pointing out the words. This somehow magically taught me to see, read, and understand. Reading was fun and exciting, a door to another world. I was not forced to read, I loved it!
In contrast, seeing in the distance beyond the book made me uncomfortable. There were unknown and scary people out there who could yell at me or hurt me. When I was put in glasses at age 5, and they kept getting stronger as I grew, it seemed to suppress my fear. However some part of me knew the fear was still there.
For over 20 years now I’ve been working to improve my distance vision. For more years than that I’ve been focusing on physical fitness, emotional fitness, and relating skills. I’m wondering now how to harness that excitement I feel about seeing print come to life and paint a story in my mind, to help me become more excited about seeing far.
The way to learn is to understand what needs to be done, then to practice, practice, practice. A few times a day I go outside for a walk, consciously noticing the houses and trees and clouds, playing with my visual skills and appreciating them. I now plan to call in the emotion of excitement about being able to see so far and decipher the images, letting them become clearer still.
Whether your visual challenge is seeing small print, or seeing in the distance, what can you do to make the practice more enjoyable, not something you have to do which is drudgery, but something you want to do and look forward to? Seeing clearly is such a joy, at any distance. See if you can feel some of that joy today.
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I wore strong glasses, then contact lenses, from age 5 into my 40s. While making many mistakes, eventually l learned how to improve the way I use my eyes and to see in a more relaxed, healthy manner. It is my pleasure to coach others to do the same. Visit me at https://NancyLNeff.com.
Can definitely relate. Biggest challenge 4 me is looking n2 the distance. FM Alexander had it right! No end gaming, it takes practice/practice/practice 2 undo functional habits “unique 2 the individual” to see clear.
Hi Jannie, and yes, identifying the unhelpful pattern is the 1st step to altering it. And he also taught you to “inhibit” (stop the unwanted action, which might be squinting) before you “direct” (do the desired action, which might be blinking gently and slowly). I’d suggest to look in the near distance, just a few feet away, before you try to tackle looking miles away. I used to be hesitant to look across the street from my front window. Now I’m annoyed at those houses way over there which block my view! 🙂 Practice practice practice as you said, and appreciate even those small improvements.
Thank you Nancy….