ROSE-COLORED BY LYDIA LANDWEHR

In life, everyone wears a pair of glasses through which they see the world, and these glasses are all layered with many lenses. Some lenses are given to us through experiences we’ve had, and we may even not be aware they exist. Others, we can intentionally choose to put on, or take off. They influence the way we perceive everything as we move through life, giving each of us a unique reality. Some lenses don’t layer well together and can make a person dizzy when worn together. But some lenses make colors more vibrant, allow us to see the details of life with clarity, and protect our eyes from the harsh rays of the sun. Three of my favorite lenses – lenses that can be intentionally put on every day and that layer beautifully together – are creativity, positivity, and playfulness.

All three of these lenses allow us to see opportunities rather than obstacles. They give us the peripheral vision to see what other pathways are available to take; without them, our narrow vision makes us prone to choosing the path right in front of us – the one that we know is safe and clearly visible – over and over again. These lenses allow us to see the good and to make the most. Wearing them gives us the ability to see the world with a childlike wonder and a great deal of wisdom. They paint my world with fun and happiness, and for that, they are my favorite accessory to wear.

Being intentional about the lenses you wear is one of the most powerful choices you can make. It is perhaps our greatest authority, and yet so many people think they’re stuck with the dirty, dark and dull lenses they’re wearing. Practice choosing better lenses to put on every day, and you have the power to change your entire world.