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I Can See Clearly Now
I made the Jersey County police and traffic report in the newspaper the other day. Stephanie Zotos Houseman, DOB, front/side windshield unobstructed (actually that is an error; it should have read side/rear obstructed). That’s police talk for driving a car with tinted windows. “But officer, I can see clearly out these windows.” He didn’t buy it; he was more concerned that HE could not see clearly IN.
The whole scenario reminded me of a week-long personal growth workshop I attended in the 90’s. After processing a lot of past “baggage”, I was at the center of a group hug while “my” song played in the background. It was “I Can See Clearly Now”.
“I can see clearly now, the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind…”
I saw that I was allowing all my past difficulties and pain to cloud my vision of the present and the future. Has that ever happened to you? Looking at the world with clouded vision affects you in three ways.
1. You’re stuck in the past with all your regrets, heartaches, pain, what ifs, failed relationships, bad business decisions, and lost opportunities. The list is endless. Playing those negative tapes and scripts over and over again robs you of the joy you can experience in life. You must leave the bitterness behind if you are going to move forward.
2. You have blinders on and are unable to see the good right under your nose because you are stuck under the dark clouds. Your past clouds your vision of today. You tell yourself “Oh, I can’t do that – I tried that once and it didn’t work out.” “We can never mend our relationship; she hurt me too much.” “I’ve been burned so many times before; why try again.” These thoughts cause you to miss out on opportunities that arise in your life today. You turn a blind eye and walk away. OR, you stay put because you are unable to see what really is in front of your eyes. You are not being honest with yourself; you choose not to see what needs to change in your life. You become too comfortable with the uncomfortable. “I have a lot of debt, but I really needed that vacation in the Bahamas.” You must see clearly so that you can open your heart to the NOW, make changes if need be, and experience all that life has to offer.
3. When you are not seeing clearly you are unable to take advantage of the opportunities of today which will bring you a brighter future. Your goals, if you have them, are hazy and you find yourself wandering aimlessly or stuck on a dead-end road. Life drives you instead of you driving your life.
The beauty of life is that you have a choice as to how you view your world. You can choose to see clearly now. You can choose to leave the past and all your hurts behind, transform your present life, and experience each new day with wonder and excitement. The rainbow is here, right now, waiting for you to grasp it. Blue skies are all around you.
 “I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been prayin’for…
Look all around, there’s nothin’ but blue skies
Look straight ahead, nothin’ but blue skies.
It’s gonna be a bright,
(Bright), bright (bright)
Sun-shiny day.”
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