Blinded by the Light

Image courtesy of Morguefile.com

“Am I going blind?”

This was what I asked my ophthalmologist during my annual eye exam last week.

I’m weird about eyeballs. I could never wear contacts. The thought of touching my eyeball sends chills down my spine. As for the Discovery Channel episodes about eyeballs, can’t watch them.

Bright lights, drops, puffs of air, and the dilation readied me for the exam. The technician performed an array of tests. The finale was two photographs taken of my eyeballs. Spots stole my vision for a couple of minutes.

Finally, the doctor entered the room. We chatted briefly, and he took a seat in front of the computer to review my test results.

He scrolled through the screen before standing and turning off the lights. “I want to recheck a few things. Some of the readings might be incorrect.”

At first, I thought, okay, there’s always a chance for human error on the part of the technician. There was no error.

When the doctor asked me to lean forward, look through the lens, and read the two lines, I complied. The problem was, when I looked, I only saw one line.

“Are there two lines now?” I asked, blinking a few times.

“Yes. Let’s try it again,” he suggested.

My heart pounded in my chest. How can a writer write if she can’t see? How can I drive to my day job? Will I ever see my first book cover?

After a few adjustments by the doctor, I finally saw the two lines. I released a heavy breath and asked, “What’s wrong with my eyes? Why couldn’t I see the second line?”

He smiled and turned on the lights. “You were looking through lenses based on your current prescription. Your eyes have changed a lot since last year.”

In the end, the doctor showed me the pictures of my eyeballs on a giant screen, which gave me the willies. He said my arteries were in great health and there were no signs of macular degeneration or glaucoma.

With blurry eyes, I headed to the front desk to buy my new lenses. As I strolled out the door, I was relieved I wasn’t going blind. I was thankful for my good eye insurance that covered 100% of the over $400 exam, including the new lenses. I was also thankful that I only live one mile from my doctor’s office. Driving in bright sunlight after having your eyes dilated is blinding.

How are your eyes?

Stay the Course

Image courtesy of morguefile.com

At the end of 2014, I found myself frustrated and full of self-doubt. When I sat down to write, the distractions took hold and nothing was accomplished. It was obvious I needed to regain my focus. Focus became my “one word” for 2015. Little did I know, when I chose my word, I would cling to it desperately as I advanced in a contest that required me to write an entire book in three and a half months. My limits tested, but I remained focused on the end goal.

As 2015 came to a close, and I thanked God for the amazing events that unfolded during the year, I realized I wanted to live 2016 and the years that follow, purposeful. In order to do this, an unwavering course of action is necessary. If I want to write another book, I will remain determined and stay the course.

Just as in years past, I won’t make any resolutions. Instead, I’ll have one grounding word, my all-encompassing word for 2016 is RESOLUTE.

“It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage that we move on to better things. ~ Theodore Roosevelt.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on resolutions, a single word or phrase. My one phrase for the year is DO IT AFRAID.

Welcome 2016!

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” ~ Robert Brault

 

Wishing you all peace and joy in the new year! In my next post, I’ll reveal my one word for the year. Think about your one word..I’d love to hear it.

Jill