Sight

Humans have 5 senses that are used every day. Hearing, touch, smell, taste, and vision. Subtract any one of these and your life is dramatically altered. Possess all 5 and you probably take them for granted. It is only in the absence of one, whether permanent or for a period of time that you begin to appreciate how needed these senses were. If you are reading this, you possess the ability to see. You possess the sense of sight. You use this sense every waking moment without consciously realizing you do. Unless you actively think about the importance of sight, the awe of vision, and the stimuli your eyes enable you to see, you do not appreciate how amazing this feature of your body is.

To enable yourself to appreciate and value this sense more, you must first think about the people who do not have this ability. Imagine how different your life would be if you were born blind. Think of all of the things you do on a daily basis that require no extra effort because of your ability to see. Walking, making breakfast, reading, watching television, cleaning up a spilled drink— the list is nearly endless. Almost everything you do in your life is aided by your ability to see, your ability and possession of sight. Without it, your life would not be the life you know today. This different life is a reality for so many people who are either fully blind, legally blind, or severely visually impaired.

Yet since you have your vision, you probably do not consciously appreciate it. You do not fully appreciate your ability to watch a sunrise or sunset. You do not fully appreciate your ability to not lose your footing on a trail or cross a busy intersection without aid. You do not fully appreciate the magic, awe, and experiences your ability to see brings you. Essentially all of your memories, activities you do, and the foundation of your life are based on your ability to see. Even with this importance you only appreciate what your sight brings you. You appreciate the sunrise or sunset but not your ability to see it. You appreciate hiking and walking through traffic but not your eyes guiding you along safely. You appreciate the result, not the cause—your ability to see.

Close your eyes and try to imagine a world of darkness. Imagine living the daily life you want to live. Realize that wouldn’t be possible, your life would have to be altered severely. Now open your eyes and appreciate the vision pouring into your eyes and consciousness. Your sight is a gift.