Shifty Eyes

Shifty eyes are a sign of an unsettled and insecure soul.
-Josef Stalin

Now..it's not every day..that I quote Stalin. But this quote happens to be on the mark.

Imagine if we rewind our life and watch from the beginning.
Imagine if we could split what we see in two.
What we see with a straightforward gaze.
What we see from the corners of our eyes.
In your gaze you’d see your children/Out of the corner of your eye you’d see your new message on your Blackberry
In your gaze you’d see your Siddur/Out of the corner of your eyes you’d see who’s coming in so late
In your gaze you’d see your spouse/Out of the corner of your eyes you’d see your neighbors spouse
In your gaze you’d see out the window of the bus/Out of the corner of your eyes you’d see the new gadget of the guy across the aisle from you
In your gaze you’d see the check you’re about to give to Tzedaka/Out of the corner of your eyes you’d see what the next guy is giving
In your gaze you’d enjoy your home and garden/Out of the corner of your eyes you’d see your neighbors new car

I’ve noticed oftentimes while driving that I can drive many miles entirely in my peripheral vision without focusing on the road before me.
Is it possible to live life like that?
To be so busy living in the periphery? That you just notice the road before you enough not to crash?
Why is it so hard to be grounded?
To allow your eyes to hold a gaze to feel a sense of place and time.
To be rooted in a moment.
Do you ever talk to someone and they’re just not there? Looking past you. Thinking about the next thing. Looking at the next person.
Focus
Hold a gaze
Look your life in the eye
Let the moment embrace you
Only I could live MY life..and I cannot live anyone else’s.

Even as I’m writing this..I could feel at least 4 pairs of peripheral eyes straining to peek..
Sheesh.