Contrast is the essence of vision. 

I first heard this saying 20 years ago at a wellness retreat. It has stuck with me since then and will pop into my mind when something becomes obvious. The thought, “Contrast is the essence of vision,” initially intrigued me because it was slightly ambiguous and made me really contemplate the meaning. Also, it was a little angsty and made me feel like I was a deep thinker, on to a secret discovery of life. 

Breaking it down, I was able to derive a simple interpretation. Contrast, meaning the shadows and darkness, make it possible to see all things more clearly. 

In the summer of 2020, this mantra kept popping into my conscious.  I was at about 100 days of sobriety and never felt better. (Except for the fear of COVID and obsessively checking my temperature when any hint of a cold or sore throat appeared.)

The clarity I was experiencing was a striking contrast to the brain fog I was used to. I was actually organized and able to follow through on details I would usually miss. I didn’t forget what I walked in a room for, or that “thing” I was supposed to do.  

My conversations were meaningful; curious. I walked away from them with a pep in my step inspired by the connection created instead of a feeling of dread or worry that I wasn’t as present as I should have been. 

My energy was off the charts. I would wake up in the morning and feel amazing! This is saying something coming from a self professed non-morning person. What a difference a good night sleep can make! Who knew that my restless nights had so much to do with the wine I was consuming? 

After each one of this “aha” moments, my mind would return to the saying, “Contrast is the essence of vision.” Until I started to feel good, I didn’t know how bad I had felt! 

And then it hit me. If contrast is the essence of vision, then sobriety is the essence of life. 

Sobriety makes it possible to see all things more clearly. ✨