Physical sight is a precious gift we often take for granted. Are you keeping your peepers healthy?
Mom used to tell us to eat our carrots. Turns out - she was right! Vitamin A is crucial for eye health. Also, goji berries, high in zeaxanthin, have crazy high levels of the type of antioxidants; protecting against age-related eye diseases as well as damage from UV light. Fill your plate with the goodness in salmon and other oily fish; green leafy veggies; eggs, nuts, beans, or other non-meat protein; oysters and pork; citrus fruits. Pack in the omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, lutein, vitamins C and E. Keeping a well-balanced diet also protects us from type 2 diabetes; the leading cause of blindness!
Other obvious eye-friendly health tips are:
- Quit smoking!
- Wear sunglasses that block 99% of UVA and UVB rays.
- Use protective eyewear during sports or hazardous work environments.
- Give your eyes a break! Look away from that computer screen every 20 minutes and never work more than two hours without a 15-minute break.
Just as we care for our physical eyes through examination, corrective lenses and even surgery; we must intentionally assess our personal vision regularly.
Do you suffer from any of the following “Personal Vision” Disorders?
This applies to our Spiritual Vision as well!
#1: Myopia; nearsightedness:
Faraway objects look blurry, because our present situation is so chaotic. There is no clear direction, purpose or goals. Life is so full of distraction, drama and disappointment; there seems to be nothing to look forward to. Depression is imminent with this outlook. Find a mentor to give you better perspective. Set a short term goal. You’ll feel amazing when you accomplish it!
#2: Hyperopia; farsightedness:
When the present, close-up objects in our lives look blurry; we get frustrated. We find ourselves wishing, hoping and waiting for better days. But this outlook is “distorted”! This hyperopia causes us to think negatively about “now”. Learn to be grateful and present in each moment of life and focus on the goodness all around. Start a “Grateful” Journal. List five things each morning or evening you are grateful for. It will change your life in 30 days!
#3: Presbyopia:
Sometimes farsightedness is a side effect of growing older. Aging can cause us to lose the elasticity of our vision. We must incorporate intentional planning for transition in our lives and careers as we age. We don’t want to lose vision and momentum! We want to be productive and effective all the days of our lives! This takes intentional planning in advance.
#4: Astigmatism:
The shape of current circumstances can cause blurred vision. When we refuse to let light, hope and joy shine directly into our lives; everything becomes distorted. We cannot allow busy schedules and overloaded calendars to misalign our lives with the beauty all around us; robbing us of the most precious gift; vision for our future.
Let’s go for 20/20 Vision in the coming year.
Be intentional. Be grateful. Be-YOU-tiful!
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