08.30.25 Do you have your sunglasses on? by Rachel Marie Martin

When my kids were little and they’d leave for school I ask them if they have their sunglasses on. Not real sunglasses, but imaginary sunglasses, glasses of love. I wanted them to see the world through that lens, not the lens of negativity, self-doubt, criticism, worry, fear or comparison.

But the lens of love.

Sometimes they chuckled at the idea, but it was and is a powerful reminder to take stock in how you see the world.

We cannot control all the circumstances.

We cannot control other people.

But we can control our response.

We can control how we see others.

We can control how we treat others.

We can control how we view ourselves.

When we look through the lens of love it gives us a great gift – margin, space, a breath. It allows us a split second moment to respond differently, to gather courage, to be brave, to be kind, to make a difference, to breathe.

Sometimes those “glasses” fall off.

But the beauty is we can always put them back on again.

Love teaches us to have grace for ourselves and others.

Love teaches us to look beyond fear.

Love teaches us to have courage and bravery.

Love teaches us to be kind.

So even if it is silly, I’d remind them.

“Wear your glasses today.”

You too. Dare to see the world through the lens of love. Dare to put on your own glasses.

It doesn’t mean it will be perfect, easy, and bubble gum and rainbows. It simply means that you aren’t pushed around by the waves of life and that you have decided your heart, your mind, your life is greater than just random.

Love matters.

Love wins.

Love cares.

Love conquers.

Love heals.

Love well.

~Rachel

#findingjoy

original words by Rachel Marie Martin