Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately? Have you looked at your eyes? Stared deep into the depths of your own eyes? I did just the other day, and it weirded me out a little!
But my eyes told me a couple of things.
They told me that I need to get more sleep for one, but also that there is a lot more life to be lived. There is a lot more to explore in this world and who I am now is just a peek into who I will be.
They were also a deeper shade of blue than they have been for many years and they sparkle like they haven’t seen since I first met Michael.
Did you ever meet someone with eyes that shine with life? They dance and sparkle. I like people with shiny eyes. That might sound weird, but you know what I mean. We’ve all met people like that.
We all speak with our eyes constantly. I see it in my son’s eyes every day. He speaks to me all the time even though he can’t physically talk to me. He says, “I love you” everyday with those eyes!
How do I know that?
I see the difference when he is happy and sad. He wouldn’t ever have to cry outright. I can see it in his eyes.
I’ve always marveled at the saying, “The eyes are the window to a man’s soul.”
I know I’ve often avoided looking myself in the eyes in the past. I didn’t like what I saw there. Now I realize my own eyes were telling me something all along.
A message I needed to hear. Or rather see.
I needed to change. I needed to take action, seek knowledge, and pick myself up out of my own self pity. I needed to move and let myself BE moved. I needed to LIVE the life I was living.
Eyes talk, I think much louder than words.
Question: What do your eyes say?
I like this post so much…i remember trying to practice speeches for school or work, in front of the mirror – just staring at myself, looking myself in the eye – it was HARD! The eyes are powerful – I so LOVE it when I see that twinkle in my wife’s eyes, the light of excitement, the air of life in them. My daughter the same – it provides a deep connection like no other. I remember reading in a book on apologetics by Mark Cahill called “One Hearbeat Away…” where the very first chapter he talks about how the human eye is enough proof that God exists. How the detail contained in the eye even made even Darwin wonder how natural selection was possible to do this. Eyes are indeed the window to the soul.
They truly are Michael!
I love how you talked about seeing the “light of excitement and the air of life” in your wife’s eyes! Hey seeing that in your wife and daughter is the stuff of life…
I feel the same way!
When Michael was thinking about quitting his job I told him to do it b/c he had lost the shine in his eyes and he needed it back!
I’ve never read that book… I’ll have to check it out!
I’ll do ya one better – email me your mailing address and I’ll send you a free copy! (I bought a case of them last year and have three on the shelf!).
Sweet! I will take you up on that Michael!
I truly love how you weave being a mom into many of your posts – I can readily relate! My eyes seem to be telling me that I am older than I feel but that there is still A LOT left to see, learn and do! I hope people that see me see the sparkle of faith and life in my eyes.
I’m sure they can Ann! In fact I think I see them sparkling in your little photo on my screen 🙂
What else do you want to see? (My ever curious self coming out here) hee-he
The eyes tell us everything… Beautiful post, Claudia… My son Nicholas is 8, and he’s been done with all the kissy, mushy, and love stuff along time ago. Since he was 5, Cheryl and I would have to chase him down, and hold him down just to get a kiss in. When I tell him, I love you, he mumbles it back in one syllable. However, when I look at him, his eyes tell me everything. He has the kind of sparkle that will make you tear up because you know how much he loves you and looks up to you, and he knows how much he is loved.
The eyes tell us everything… Beautiful post, Claudia… My son Nicholas is 8, and he’s been done with all the kissy, mushy, and love stuff along time ago. Since he was 5, Cheryl and I would have to chase him down, and hold him down just to get a kiss in. When I tell him, I love you, he mumbles it back in one syllable. However, when I look at him, his eyes tell me everything. He has the kind of sparkle that will make you tear up because you know how much he loves you and looks up to you, and he knows how much he is loved.
Rob,
Nicholas is truly blessed to have a father like you that keeps pursuing him and loving on him!
I remember feeling this way when I was a kid. I longed for hugs and kisses… but always acted like I didn’t. Hmmm I wonder why we do that? Push away what we really need??
I remember when I was five, and being shy about all this stuff too! However, I can share some stories about how I still was able to sneak some hugs and kisses in with the intentions of doing it without getting caught. Never really worked out too much except for this one girl in kindergarten. We all had to go get our cots for nap time, and I remember strategically tripping over in order to get a kiss on the back of her head. She never knew! Yeah, I’m a weird dude…
hahahaaaa I am totally laughing out loud reading this story!!!!!! 🙂 I love that!!
Claudia, an interesting post that hit me right in the heart. You see for the last 11 years since we lost our 3 years old daughter to an illness I have not looked myself in the eye. The reason is not from guilt but looking at the loss in my own face that I see in those around me that I love. You see by not looking at myself I could play the game and say that I was the strong one and that I was handling it well. Thanks for challenging me to look at myself and get real to move forward. Blessings, @missoncoach
Rob,
This is a heart wrenching story. I can’t even begin to imagine the loss and pain your family must have gone through. And still is going through, I am sure! Thanks for sharing.
It does often feel like someone needs to be the strong one. But the strong one also needs to be able to grieve!
Was the illness sudden? I see you have two other daughters… how has that affected your relationship with you other children?
Rob my heart goes out to you brother. I remember you sharing this at the boot camp, and I just can’t imagine that amount of pain. I’m confident your support is great, but just know you have my heart… I was always feeling like the need to be the strong one when my dad was killed a couple years ago, but every now and then you’ll find me grieving to myself about it. I have to be real and move on, and be more intentional about letting someone like my wife know I really miss him when I ever I have a down moment… God bless you Rob…We all need each other… May you always find peace in knowing she is well, and we will all be together again…
You are not the only weird one…I look into my eyes also. Ask myself what I see! Eyes do say SO much. I think about this often as I work with my clients. I can tell almost immediately who they are and how they do life by their eyes. If their eyes are dull….there usually is no life in them as a person. I always thought you have gorgeous eyes!! And I always thought your eyes sparkle with life. Although there is now a boldness and a freedom that shines strong. And it is beautiful. 🙂
Char,
I love how you’re so observant and perceptive in situations like meeting with clients. There is a new depth about you and I think it’s wonderful. 🙂 I find it inspiring.
Thank you Char! Boldness and freedom. I like that.
That is so interesting and true what you say about your clients eyes! Dull eyes = lack of life. I noticed in your pictures you always emphasize your client’s eyes. I think it is truly beautiful.