Andrew's View of the Week

Persistence of Vision …

… is the effect where the visual perception of an object continues for some time after the light rays from the object have stoped entering your eyes.

Try this: Look an object for a minute.  Stare, don’t blink, don’t move your head, just look.  Best done when there is a lot of contrast between the object and its background.  Look at a hill, a person, a painting, a parked car … now close your eyes and see the thing still drifting before you as it shifts and slowly melts away.

It explains movies.  It explains seeing long lost friends.  It explains why we can see without looking.

What is vision? Is it seeing a thing? Opening our eyes and perceiving the light reflected from a thing? Does it only work in the day or when the lights are on?

Close your eyes and think of the beach on a warm summer day.  See the sand and the waves.  There, a bird flies over head and look down to see the seaweed washing ashore.  Move towards the water.  Now you can hear the waves and feel the chill of the water as it washes over your toes.  Hear the laughter of the children running towards the retreating water, then hear the screams of delight as the next wave floods their feet with foamy waves.

How long ago was it – when you were at the beach?

Vision, more than here and now.  More that sight and sound.  Dream like, yet some how real.  We remember things long ago or if we dare, things that might be.

Stand on Everest looking out from the roof of the world.  Feel the exhilaration of getting there.  Feel the bone weariness, feel the cold wind, and take a breath of thin air.

Sit at the view port of your star ship and marvel at the new planet filling your eyes as you race across the lightyears.

Picture a painting you’d like to make.  Think of a story you’d like to tell.  Describe the kind of world you’d like to build.  These are visions to hold close – to close your eyes and still see.  In your mind’s eye, build the vision of your grand design.  Hold it, shape it, make it yours.

Now, if you’re a writer, write,

If you’re a painter, paint,

If you’re a musician, play,

If you’re a singer, sing,

If you’re a dancer, dance …

When you build a vision, share it so that it will always persist.