More Than Meets the Eye

dandelionsWhen the digestive enzymes my nutritionist recommended arrived, I was surprised to read the main ingredient was dandelion root. I’ve had to focus on the healing effects to help me get past the atrocious taste!

This product has given me a new respect for what I formerly thought of as weeds.

Dandelions are the most well-known plant in the world. I did a little research and discovered while I knew them by sight, I actually knew very little about these plants.

They are filled with nutrients and have health benefits too numerous to mention here. But these plants are useful for much more.

Dandelions have one of the longest flowering seasons of any plant. Bees pollinate and feed upon the flowers. Their seeds, nectar and leaves are consumed by various insects and animals.

Their wide spreading roots help to loosen hard packed soil and aerate the ground. They also pull nutrients from deep in the soil to make them available for other plants. As anyone who has attempted to rid their lawns of dandelions knows, the deep roots give them an incredible ability to survive.

All of these facts, plus many more I won’t bore you with, have caused me to rethink my attitude to these plants. Their value extends well beyond the joy children receive as they present a bouquet of these bright flowers to their mothers!

I wonder how many other things I have disregarded based on limited knowledge. Worse yet, have I done the same with people? Everyone deserves to be treated with respect. A passing glance is not enough to determine the value of another. It’s time to take a deeper look in order to understand, appreciate, and acknowledge the unique qualities others possess.

The Eyes Have It

#inspiration, eyes, observation,It was an interesting discovery. While sorting through a drawer full of papers I came across one that had been tucked away several years ago and forgotten.

At the end of a seminar, each of us was presented with a unique gift to commemorate our days together. On a large piece of paper, someone had sketched the eyes of over sixty participants. The name of each person was printed neatly above one eyebrow.

I was fascinated to see the numerous shapes of eyes. Some were almond shaped while others were wide and round. The eyebrows were even more diverse. From delicately shaped to thick and bushy, the brows framed the facial features. No two sets of eyes were exactly alike.

The artistic ability required to create these realistic images was impressive. Even more so was the power of observation needed to capture the small details that helped identify each person.

I read somewhere that observation has less to do with the things you see than the way you see them. This is true for more than artists. It applies to each of us.

Many years ago I started keeping a gratitude journal. Each night I write down five things I was grateful for that day. Focusing on the positive has changed my perspective and my life. When I look for the beauty in my surroundings, the goodness in people and the life lessons that present themselves, that is what my eyes see. The minor irritations fade into the background.

My goal is to create value in all things. It doesn’t always happen but I am getting better at it. I have learned if I want to create a positive life my eyes need to be looking for the right things.

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