The Eye Exam

I've had this analogy swirling in my brain for several years now. I feel prompted to share this shortened version and I would appreciate and welcome further insights and ideas that would add to it. Do you agree? Disagree?

The Eye Exam

Sitting in the exam chair at the eye doctor's office, I look through the contraption and the doctor asks me which lens is clearer, 1 or 2? 2 or 3? 3 or 2? Or are they about the same? Each of my responses determines which lens he will put in place next until my eyeglass prescription is finished, a prescription with which I view the world.
I believe our lives are like an eye exam. Our experiences shape the way we view the world, the way we approach life and the joys and challenges that come with it- the way we interact with others and ourselves.
My experiences (and I believe this includes experiences I had before I came to earth) are unique to me. I view the world through lenses that are different than anyone else
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I recognize with respect and curiosity that each person I come in contact with has their own set of lenses. They see the world different than me because of their unique "eye exam" of life experiences. Therefore, I am not in a place to cast negative judgement or to compare my weakness with their strength, to criticize or feel envy. My great desire is to develop pure love for all humans. To recognize that we see the world differently, and that I can get a better world view by hearing their story and gaining insight from their perspective.

My lenses are shaped by who I was when I came into this world, followed by being born in America in the late 1970s, the youngest child in a family with two parents and 5 kids. I  had siblings who were sometimes mean and sometimes good to me and who I admire so much as adults. I  was raised in Highland UT among good neighbors and saturated in the latter-day saint faith which is my foundation and my rock,  a foundation that has remained steady for me to this today (well except for 2012, the year my foundation crumbled and was built back up brick by brick, a major "lens prescription" change ).  I was shy and insecure and lonely.  My knight in shining armor rode up on his white horse and carried me off into a beautiful and rocky sunset. I haven't lived alone.  I've always had someone to take care of me.  I was taught good work ethic by hardworking parents and my school and church teachers each shaped me in different ways, as did my few friends.  Each job I've had  has taught me and shaped me.  I've experienced the miracle of childbirth 3 times and brought 3 miracles into our family. Sometimes I have felt like a good mom; sometimes I've felt like a failure.  I've felt a lot of joy and felt a lot of pain; I've had spiritual experiences that have shaped my faith and belief system. I've been the cause of pain for others and felt regret and remorse. I've wanted to give up on living more times than I can count and suffered from anxiety and depression. I find my greatest joy in serving others and in relationships and good conversations. I've lived in 3 states and 7 different neighborhoods. My life lenses will continue to change as I experience more of it, and I am so grateful when I'm able to try on someone else's glasses by learning their story, gaining respect and love for them.

Here's Rachel getting her eye exam this year!