The Distortion of Distance

We can see something on the far horizon. What is it? Do we know for sure? The haze of distance distorts the landscape, and it is impossible to truly know what is ahead. Sunlight and wind blind can blind us to the truth. In the void of the unknown, those who persevere, survive.

Distance marks the outback. Through the shimmering heat of summer and the icy cloak of winter, distant landforms reach halfway to the sky, and are visible from far away. We think we are close as we approach them, and we learn the hard way that things are further than they seem. People fall in love with the huge sweeps of the desert, and they learn that to survive, they must not assume that what they see is as it appears.

Uluru, Central Australia (Photo credit: Wendy Marr)

So it is in life. As we travel along the roads that lead us through our days, and cross the deserts and plains of our experiences, we spot things in the distance and react accordingly. But how do we know that what is up ahead is authentic? Something that is huge may seem small if it is tucked away thousands of footsteps from where we stand. How do we respond?

As much as anything, life is about instinct. It is also about preparation, and this can be clouded by fear. When an issue or event crops up in your life, be aware that you may not know everything about it from where you stand. Have the courage to travel closer so you can evaluate the challenge or blessing accurately. Distance can distort things – and knowledge is power.