Too Many Lenses

One lens for close ups.

One for wide angle.

Another for black and white.

Maybe one for fancy colors.

One lens does high speed, another for slow motion.

This approach works great for creating art and photographs, but it sucks for doing life.

I'm of the opinion that all too often, we approach life with way too many lenses at the ready.

We read through the newspaper learning about crimes, unrest, and illness. With each page we turn, we attach a new lens, a different filter, to view each story.

Gas prices

Obesity

Homeless families

Aids

Addiction

Sexual deviance

War

Education

I believe all of these issues should be viewed through one lens, with one set of values, recognizing a singular set of absolutes as the solution for all the evil that exists around us.

Can anyone suggest one single set of values that could possibly correct all the horrors that inhibit life on a daily basis?

For you, maybe things aren't as complex as AIDS or cancer. Maybe you are not homeless. Perhaps your solution is a bit more home-grown. Are your finances in the toilet? Is there a friend or family member you can't seem to walk in stride with? Are you and your son not on the same page about life? Has your child just told you he/she is gay and you aren't quite sure how to react?

You've only got one shot at capturing a true picture of life, real life. Has changing lenses been working for you? Or have you missed large moments of life as you focus in your next lens?

Choose one lens.