A Norvell Note

October 12, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 38

Seeing More Clearly

I have worn glasses and contacts for over forty years. I first noticed the need when I had trouble reading road signs while driving. That led to glasses, then later contacts. During annual checkups, my doctors adjusted my prescriptions so I could see clearly at a distance and up close. At my annual checkup a couple of months ago, I heard my doctor say, “We’ve gone as far as we can go. We cannot increase the strength in your contacts or glasses enough to help. We need to think about cataracts.” 

The doctor’s words conveyed both feelings of excitement and dejection. “Yay, no more glasses or contacts.” And “Oh, I’m getting older.” I chose to focus on the “no more glasses or contacts” message and began looking for a doctor to perform the surgery. I have completed the surgeries: first, the right eye for up close, the left for distance. All I can say is “Wow!” My brain is still adjusting to the dual vision, but “Wow!” I had forgotten how blue the sky really is, and how white the clouds are. The flowers and butterflies in our backyard are brighter and more colorful than I remembered. “Wow!”

Not only can I see trees, blue skies, and faces more clearly, but this experience has reminded me that time and aging are helping me see other things more clearly. 

Wants and needs are two different things. I am usually happier when I focus on needs rather than wants. 

Not everyone wants or needs to hear my opinion.

I’m rarely, if ever, the most intelligent person in the room, so I shouldn’t act like I am. 

The more I listen, the better I can understand the person I’m with. 

Being quiet and focusing on God’s love is a good thing. I should do it more often. 

I cannot do everything. So, I shouldn’t beat myself up when I fail or make a mistake.

Relationships work better when I don’t assume what you are thinking or feeling.

I cannot change people. I should stop trying. 

I can only change myself. I should work more on myself. 

I cannot relive yesterday, and I cannot live tomorrow; I can only live today. And today I am grateful that my cataract surgery has noticeably improved my vision and is reminding me to appreciate the people and the beauty of the world more vividly. 

Seeing more clearly is a good thing. 

You are loved

Tom

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