Seeing Life Through Rose-Colored Glasses
When I was a kid, I often heard people talk about the “evils” of seeing life through rose-colored glasses. Many lamented the need to remove them, as if they were some kind of burden. I never really understood why conventional wisdom was so critical of something that seemed so small. Moreover, I didn’t see many people in my circle actually wearing rose-colored glasses, so the analogy always baffled me.
As I grew older and observed the world more closely, my stance as an optimistic realist made rose-colored glasses seem wildly unnecessary. Whether good or bad, easy or hard, life’s events felt neutral to me. They were simply facts that needed to be addressed. Understanding them gave me the power to either enhance them or resolve them.
It wasn’t until one gorgeous late spring afternoon, while driving down the highway, that I finally grasped the true value of rose-colored glasses. The sun was beginning its gradual descent toward the horizon, painting the sky with vibrant hues of pink and orange. The breathtaking scene had me exclaiming in awe.
Upon my urgent insistence, my son glanced up from his phone and casually remarked, “Yeah, Mom, it’s pretty.”
But his lack of enthusiasm didn’t seem to match the sheer beauty unfolding around us.
Then, I had a sudden realization—I was wearing my sunglasses. When I removed them, I discovered the reason for my overflowing excitement: my lenses had a slight pink tint.
The sunset was already beautiful, but that subtle touch of rose turned it from lovely to mesmerizing, from pretty to captivating.
Embracing the Power of Perspective
I was reminded of this experience during a recent sunrise hike. As I reached into my backpack and slipped on those same rose-tinted glasses, the scene before me transformed. The sunrise creeping over the mountains was already stunning, but now it became spellbinding.
As a child, I was taught that looking at life through rose-colored glasses was something to be discouraged. As a young adult, it felt unnecessary and even unhelpful. But as a well-established adult, I now see the childlike delight in enhancing the beauty of what is before me.
The Value of Enhancing Joy
Sometimes, we need to fully immerse ourselves in the experiences that bring us happiness. Life’s beauty is always present, but choosing to enhance it allows us to appreciate it on a deeper level.
Adding a little extra color to our world isn’t about masking reality; it’s about drawing our attention to the joy and privilege of being alive. It’s a way to acknowledge what is good, true, and beautiful in our lives.
Life’s responsibilities and daily demands can be draining. When we need a little extra replenishment—whether we’re entrepreneurs, artists, parents, or simply people navigating the world—we benefit from occasionally choosing to see life through rose-colored glasses.
A Final Thought
Choosing to enhance our perspective doesn’t mean ignoring life’s difficulties. Instead, it’s about allowing ourselves the grace to see and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. Sometimes, all it takes is a slight shift in perspective—a willingness to embrace the joy that is already there, waiting for us to notice.