PERIPHERAL VISION

There's a lot going on around us that we never see because
We get so focussed in and narrowed-down
On our stuff!
We forget to check our peripheral vision --
A 165-degree lateral and 75-degree vertical panorama
Of unseen wonders
That are available at any time
Without even having to turn our head.

We were born (most of us) seeing everything at once,
Then we learned how to focus on details.
Later, we began editing, shutting out and de-focusing
As we homed in on what we classified as "important".
We got into an unfortunate habit of blinkering out the existence of
The bigger picture.

This degeneration can be reversed quite simply and easily
With just a little perseverance.........

As often as you remember,
Take a quick check of what's going on in the corners of your eyes;
Flick-scan around the edges.
You don't have to turn your head or shift your major focus
(Unless you find something there that piques your continuing interest).
Without moving your eyeballs,
Just flick your awareness briefly around
And check your "side mirrors";
Become aware again of the wider world
Within which your comedies and dramas are unfolding.
You'll be often  amazed at what you discover
When you stop Looking
And allow yourself to See.

Try it now --
Look at this screen,
Really LOOK at it for 20 seconds.
Now mentally lean back and, without moving your eyes or head,
Allow yourself to see all that is in your whole field of vision.
Feel the difference?
Which is easier --
Concentrated Looking, or Open Seeing?
Click backwards and forwards;
Get used to consciously shifting the scope of your awareness.
Both looking and seeing have their unique contributions to make.

When you're comfortable with shifting your visual scope,
Experiment similarly with with your Listening and Hearing.
Then later, play with your senses of smell and touch.
You'll discover just how much you've been out-of-touch!

I have found
When you practice this simple discipline,
All manner of abilities and faculties will return for you --
You'll become more aware,
Safer in traffic,
More considerate in crowds,
Less likely to be caught off the hop,
More intuitive
And open to messages that come via less traditional means.

You''ll also re-awaken your engagement with the Third Dimension ==
Depth.

You can have 20/20 eyesight (albeit with glasses)
And remain blinkered and blind.
You can have 20/20 hearing
And be deaf to the world.

How sad, when all that's required
Is to reverse a limiting habit.