Focusing On The Needs Of Others

I believe that going through pain and hardship makes us more compassionate towards those whose situations we never understood, and perhaps, even judged. While going through those challenges is not fun, and they are definitely undesirable, I can see there is a purpose to our pain, and I believe in our pain lies our purpose

I have been having a new kind of struggle lately. I ignored it at first, and I dismissed it when I couldn’t ignore it anymore. When I finally embraced it, I kept putting it off.

[Tweet “In our pain lies our purpose. #elaynaquotes #motivationformoms”]

I found myself looking at my phone from an arm length’s distance, and it was not to take a selfie. I couldn’t read the text and it all looked blurry. I couldn’t see what I used to see before… and it was suddenly scary.

I delayed the news to my family. I don’t know whether I felt self-conscious, or a little old. I don’t know whether I didn’t want to worry them or maybe I didn’t want to seem a bit helpless, or helpless at any level, or maybe I didn’t want to be inconvenienced…

And then I took the focus off me, and magic happens when you do that. See, I’ve had perfect vision for several decades now, and so many people suffer from blurry vision from a young age and don’t have access to vision care.

Focusing on the needs of others does three things:

• You gain perspective that allows you to feel blessed and grateful for what you have or have had.
• You feel compassion
• You feel the urge to do something about their suffering… to use your God-given talents or resources to make a difference.

Mahatma Gandhi says “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” I think what you find is your best Self… who you’re meant to be, operating from your purpose.

Coincidentally, I found out that World Sight Day is on October 13 – did you know there was such a day? OneSight, an independent nonprofit leading the global movement to help the world see, a mission to #UNBLUR the world for those without access to vision care globally.

I really like this initiative, and the name UNBLUR now hits home.

I celebrated World Sight Day by going to get an eye exam, and found out I needed reading glasses (glasses you wear to read or see anything up-close).

The ophthalmologist told me that my sight issues were part of the aging process. I asked whether being on digital devices for a living accelerates the process and he said “no.” Well talk about how to make a girl feel awkward, especially after the whole “elderly pregnancy” diagnosis. LOL

He was actually really sweet about it, and explained it thoroughly: as we get closer to our 40th birthday, our eye’s own lens becomes less elastic, or ‘presbyopic’, so it requires more effort to focus on objects that are near. He prescribed the “readers” so they can enlarge or magnify the object and my eyes are not strained, and the blurriness goes away.

I still need to find the perfect glasses for my new journey, but while I’m on that very important search, and I’m wearing temporary glasses to read and see up-close, let’s talk about how you can help 1.1 billion people in underserved communities worldwide who need quality vision care and glasses to underserved communities worldwide., but lack access.

Since 1988, OneSight charitable vision clinics, along with volunteers and partners, have brought together global expertise—top quality eyeglasses, doctors, specialists, training and materials for clinics, and helped 9 million people in 41 countries see clearly. OneSight sustainable vision centers now provide permanent access to affordable vision care to over 3 million people.

I appreciate that they not only provide same-day access to vision care, they also establish permanent clinics staffed by local, capable partners to serve each community’s distinct needs.

Because OneSight believes that “when you help the world see better, you help the world live better,” their promise is: “We will not stop until the world can see.”

I can attest to that. Now that I can wear my reading glasses, I don’t struggle with some of the basic tasks I perform during the day. I don’t feel inadequate as often – whether I am at the grocery store and need to read a nutrition label, or in the car and need to read instructions in my navigation guidance system, I feel empowered to know I have options and I feel at peace that I know what the issue is, and I’ve received the proper care to address it.

I want that for everyone!

I learned that only $10 can help provide a pair of glasses to a person in need and $30 helps provide a free eye exam and glasses to a person in need. That is so much less than what I paid and can make such a big impact!

If you are as moved as I am with this cause, I invite you to share this video on social media and tag 2 friends to raise awareness, advocacy, and funds, on the global vision care crisis and to show how clear sight empowers us all to see a better future. You can also donate here to directly make sure someone in need receives eye exams and glasses in the U.S. and around the world.

To UNBLUR Learning for a child is to make sure they can see a clear VISION of a brighter future, because he or she can take advantage of education. To UNBLUR Life for a father is to assure capacity to perform better at a job that will provide for his family. To UNBLUR Love for a mother is to know she will see her children grow and thrive as she raises them.

For more information about OneSight and how you can help the world see, visit www.onesight.org/unblur. Follow on Twitter: @OneSightOrg, Like on Facebook/OneSight, or follow on Instagram: @OneSight. Be sure to follow the conversation along using #UNBLUR too!

What results do you experience when you are focusing on the needs of others? Share your thoughts below and share the UNBLUR video with your friends!

[ela]