Vision is taken for granted until you lose it. And then everything comes into focus.
I suffered a full retinal detachment in May 2020. Saturday morning, my first day off in weeks. When the vision in my right started to diminish as a green colour seeped in from the side, I dismissed it as something that would pass. There was no pain. No visible signs of trauma. Why worry?
Monday morning at my ophthalmologist’s office was the first step to recovery from a full retinal detachment. Two surgeries, six months of recovery later, I was informed the nerve damage was so great I would not regain my sight. 85% of retinal surgeries in Alberta are successful. Mine was in the other group.
The surgeon gave me a stern warning that the next time I had any symptoms of a retinal detachment I should immediately get to the clinic.
That day came on October 1st.
Late in the evening, my good eye started to experience colours and flashes of light. Anxious, but calmly, I told my wife what was happening. She packed us up in record time and drove us from our lakeside cabin to Edmonton.
My first reaction was, “I can’t go blind. I’m only 70. I’ve got so many more things to do.”
A retinal migraine. Have you heard of that? Me neither. But that was the diagnosis. My good eye is still 20:20. Rest required.
Thank God for sight. And mercy.
Blindness
is not the end of life or function, but sight is so much better for living.
When vision is threatened, everything comes into focus. And even with half sight, you can still see the whole world. And sometimes better. You see clearly what really matters.
It’s easy for our vision to be distracted by catchy but unimportant things.
It’s the same with a writing vision.
Whether yours is a book or a blog, a poem or a screen play, you have your sights set on what you want to accomplish through your writing. That vision gets you through discouragement, setbacks, rejection, and disillusionment. Vision is everything.
R.J. Palacio has a vision for writing. She contributed a series of books on kindness to the literary realm. And her writing is moving. It provokes thinking ignites emotion, and changes behaviour. Have you read her books, Wonder, or White Bird?
A writing vision is powerful.
In my role as a church coach, I remind pastors that vision raises money. People functionally give out of obedience in stewardship but they give passionately and generously because of vision. Vision, not budget, creates provision.
My vision for writing is to be a hope dispenser. I write to give hope to readers. And to other writers.
What is
your vision? Please leave a comment below. Thank you.
Bob writes about hope at REVwords.
Wonderful reminder to keep our eyes on the vision God gave us for our writing. Thank you, Bob, for your faithful encouragement to us each month through your posts.
ReplyDeleteAmen to: "It’s easy for our vision to be distracted by catchy but unimportant things."
Blessings.
This is thank you #22 in this series.Wendy, you help us focus on what matters.
DeleteYour post resonates with me since I have had eye issues all my life as well as multiple surgeries. At one point in 2008, I was blind for a few months as I recovered from one set of surgeries. It taught me so much (about a lot of things) but specifically, relying on God. Then in 2010 I had a similar incident to the one you describe with what I call a "neon green" light creeping in. I, too, am now blind in one eye and am super vigilant about changes that I put off as "nothing".
ReplyDeleteHi brother Bob! Thank you for your words. I am living with a couple of health challenges that aren't leaving anytime soon. Like you, I have a vision for my writing. Like you, hope, is key in what I write. Like you, I am also 70 and still have things in life I hope to accomplish. This includes to continue writing in the hope I can help other people rest in living hope. Keep writing, brother!
ReplyDeleteUs 70 year olds have got to stick together. And keep writing. Thank you, Alan.
DeleteThanks Bob. Like you, my writing vision includes a desire to spark hope in my readers. As for eye issues, I have not experienced them yet, but I've supported several people who are blind over the years. Two in particular come to mind: They are congenitally blind, but they have inspired me with the great sense of vision they hold for their futures. They may be sightless, but they are most certainly not visionless. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, you sound like a compassionate woman. Love, "sightless but not visionless." We have to keep amplifying the sound of hope in our writing.
DeleteThanks, Bob. I can relate to your ocular migraines having had them myself. The first time was a little unnerving. Great reminder of having vision and what happens when it is lacking both physically and spiritually. Many songs and quotations entered my head regarding ’vision’ as I read your post. Thanks, again.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for putting your eyes on my writing. Stay well and keep writing.
DeleteThanks for this post, Bob. I haven't had major vision issues--I just need glasses. But your second definition for writing or any other endeavour in life resonates with me: "Vision gets you through discouragement setbacks rejection, and disillusionment ". Sandi
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandi. May your vision for life always be 20:20.
DeleteThank you Bob. I have been writing the lifelong story of salvation as evidenced through some of my own stories. However I am stuck at Part 2. How much to share of my own story to illustrate the process of being saved, and how to best articulate the magnitude of how Gods through His grace completes this work which He himself began, has me somewhat at a loss for the words. I believe these words will come but I don’t like being stuck.
ReplyDeleteYou have a great story. The best way to a breakthrough is to write. Get the words down on paper. It probably won't be the way it ends up but the writing process can spark an idea of how to say it in a better way. Just write.
ReplyDelete