Listen To Your Eyes

There is a mural on the side of an optometrist's office in Kenosha that I found interesting.  I get the imagery of the eyes, but not so much the quote "Listen to Your Eyes".

Listen to your heart, listen to your body, those make sense to me for some reason, but not listen to your eyes.  Maybe because listening involves the sense of hearing and of course eyes use a different sense entirely.  Your heart doesn't use one of the five senses so you can pick any one you like and apply it.  Listen with your heart, see with your heart, feel with your heart.  Of course all are assuming the heart as an organ of emotion.

It's not like most people's eyes are telling them much of great import.  On the contrary, often anything serious that can go wrong with the eyes is usually pretty advanced before people "see" the signs.  Glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and other serious conditions start out pretty silent, which is why regular eye exams are important.  That dreaded yearly "puff of air" could save your eyesight.  I think the message would be better off addressing that.  Protect your eyes for they are precious.  There is much to see in this world, don't let something preventable interfere with the simple joy of seeing it all, from the red rock in Moab to the smile of a child.  Like Drew Barrymore's smile in "E.T."

While all the "eyes" in the mural were ones I recognized, I thought E.T.'s inclusion was pretty funny.  The one that jumped out at me right away was Frida Kahlo, and of course the Afghan girl from the 1985 National Geographic cover photo.  If you don't know her story, click the link, sign in to NG and read it.  It's as compelling as her eyes.

 If you don't know Frida's story, shame on you, at least check out Selma Hayak's protrayal in the movie "Frida".  If you click on the link and read, make sure to check out the "selected artwork" link as well.  Her work makes sense if you know her story.

Of course those two women are a good argument for preserving your eyesight.  If you lose your vision how could you enjoy National Geographic's most compelling photos or Frida's most intriguing self-portraits?  My favorite?  "The Two Fridas", followed closely by "The Dream".  As I've mentioned before I'm not much into paintings, but hers draw me in.

I just found out while looking for Frida exhibits that an exhibit of her photography is on display in Nevada.  If you're in the area check it out for me!

I talk too much sometimes.  Especially when I get stuck indoors in the winter, too much time to ponder. Others who link up to Monday Mural will not yammer on quite so much so check them out.

What would you miss seeing if you lost your vision?