“So shall we come to look at the world with new eyes.”
What an extraordinary way to begin the New Year – if only we could do it.
The words are those of American philosopher and essayist, Ralph Waldo Emerson, from his essay, “Nature,” in which he reflects on the spirituality of the natural world.
Though Emerson was not expounding on the New Year when he wrote those words, we often find relevance in ideas out of context. I took his words to heart years ago when I entered a New Year struggling with losses. A new perspective seemed so much more valuable than a new diet.
It was then that I began to write, seriously, looking at the world through the eyes of acceptance. For a time, I had seen things only through the lens of pain and loss. I began to recognize the value of accepting reality and spending time dealing with the seemingly ever-changing emotions that would overtake me on any day.
While reflecting on my own experience of emptiness, even while raising a large family, I began to understand that grief hones us in the fire of love, gratitude gives expression to that love and fear can always be conquered by love.
My healing began when I realized that every friend, acquaintance, neighbor, co-worker, boss, and stranger I crossed paths with on any given day was coping with their own pain and losses, their own brokeness, and trying to make the best of life within their unique circumstances.
I began to truly understand that while we each walk our own path, we all share a similar journey.
Who would have thought Emerson’s words about the power of nature to change us would serve as such a powerful catalyst of insight for me?
This year, my New Year’s inspiration came about through a commercial, something I ordinarily despise, about a product I never use, whiskey.
The commercial stressed that their product was exceptional because they age, blend, and age again. “Gee,” I thought, chuckling to myself, “that’s the same process I go through every day!”
Then I realized it was actually the process every person goes through from the day they are born.
Aging is not just an ailment of the old, though our society has made it seem so. Aging is the natural process of growth and eventual decline, at least physically. The blending that goes on throughout our lifetimes, the multitude of experiences, friendships and emotions which become part of who we are, results in a unique vintage for each person.
Spiritually, aging is the road to wisdom, if we can muster up the courage to accept our mortality and reflect on our lives honestly. We have the opportunity to become a gift to others by being mentors and guides and companions on life’s journey.
The world needs wisdom keepers, especially our youth.
Now, for the coming year, keeping in mind my whiskey inspiration and the brilliance of aging and blending, I’ve adapted Emerson’s words: “So shall we come to look at ourselves with new eyes.”
Isn’t it true that the person who is often the most critical of us, is us? Our faults and shortcomings glare back at us from the mirror like a bad haircut or new wrinkles.
It’s time for us to look at ourselves with new eyes, with God’s eyes, to be amazed at what we see, and to remember the truth of the psalmist, “For I am fearfully, wonderfully made.”
“Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” Isaiah 43:18-19
Edi Libedinsky photo on Unsplash.
