I wasn’t even sure it was legal, but I did it anyway, for the intrigue. It was in Orlando, Florida, three nights ago. I closed my right eye. Highways, side-streets, traffic lights and traffic jams—I navigated them all with one eye closed for the entire trip.

Isn't that unsafe? Yes. Don’t you need the full functioning of both eyes just to get a drivers license? I used to think so, but Florida is different. Think of the immobility this requirement would impose on people with one eye impaired.

Why this intrigue? Well, you see, I was driving behind my sister-in-law, Ingrid, who was on her way home that night. I had planned to see her safely home, then continue on my way. But as we began the trip, it occurred to me that Ingrid is able to see with only one eye. As I pondered her ability to drive herself, I thought, “I wonder what that feels like?” Hence, the crazy impulse to drive with my right eye closed.

Suddenly there was a rushing sound over my right shoulder as a car simply appeared in the lane, immediately to my right. Strange; I never saw it coming. As I turned my head right to see this new neighbor, I felt another car manifest in the left lane, and then speed away. I turned my head left to see this new passing force, but then, I could no longer see the one on the right.

“Wait a minute. I’m losing control here. I’d better check the rearview mirror to ensure that I know what’s going on.” I turned my head slightly right and up toward the mirror. In that moment, I could not see what was ahead or to the sides of me, so I flashed my head forward again, trying to keep my perspective on the road. Okay boy, relax; stay calm. Don’t get flustered. Ingrid is right ahead of you and she is doing just fine. So can you.

My neck was getting a workout. I had to move my entire head to change my angle of vision. Normally, with just a flick of my eyes, I can see almost everything I need—front, sides and rearview mirror. But with one eye closed, I had to twist my head and torso, due to my very limited perspective and peripheral vision.

The traffic light changed to red. Ingrid slowed and stopped. In the process of doing the same, I noticed that it was difficult to gauge the distance between her car and mine, so I slowed down rather quickly, just to be safe. I thought about this and recalled the phenomenon of parallax where an observed object seems to move against a background, just because the observer is moving. I needed both eyes to manage this perceptual challenge and to judge the relative distances accurately. I simply had to slow down, just to be safe. Of course, Ingrid drives slower than most people with both eyes functioning.

Suddenly there was a screeching sound, somewhere close by…the kind of sound made by an automobile trying to stop, just before a crash. I was frightened. I could not tell the angle from which that sound was coming. Should I speed up to avoid a situation happening behind me, or slow down to avoid a situation ahead of me? Was it in a lane to my right or left? Should I change lanes quickly? Which way? I flashed my head left and right, trying to see the source. I believe I saw the particular car traveling on the opposite side of the road, but I cannot be sure, as it quickly disappeared behind me. There was no crash, but my brain experienced a minor tremor.

My right eye desperately wanted to pop open. It actually opened once and I had to use my hand to close it back. I was developing great respect for Ingrid and her ability to adapt and do well despite such limitations. In the process, I was dreaming of the moment when I would arrive at her house and open my right eye…it would be glorious to see everything all at once again. My mind would embrace the full richness and dimensions of the physical space around me. My depth perception would make everything feel great again.

Then, I experienced another amazing reality. We arrived at Ingrid’s place. I opened both eyes wide to take in the wonder of unlimited vision and realized that there wasn’t anything that wonderful about it. It was just normal. Everything was just as it should be…routine…no magic. So, I could see fine. Okay?

For three days I have pondered and gained wisdom from the lessons of this self-imposed episode. POW! Like fireworks, insights exploded in my head. Consider just a few of these Points Of Wisdom (POWs).

POW! #1: This is very dangerous; do not try it. Trust me. (And it may even be illegal where you live.)

POW! #2: We, human beings, live in a place of wonder. Daily, moment by moment, we have a richness and intensity of life, full of colors, breadth, depth and motion, but we take it for granted; we fail to appreciate it when it is abundantly available. Each element of that richness is only of great value to us when, for some reason, it is removed, shut off, incapacitated. This relates even to things as underrated as a big toe. Try walking without one of yours. Your appreciation for it will skyrocket.

If you are unhappy, could it be that you fail to see the richness and bountiful goodness surrounding you daily? When life seems overwhelming and out of control—when you feel inadequate and unable to cope, relax; stay calm. Don’t get flustered. Sure, you can complain, but can you find reasons to be thankful? There are others around you who are doing just fine, even with greater challenges than yours. Ingrid is one of the sweetest, happiest people I know. Her husband, Howard, usually does the driving. But she was on her way from the hospital, leaving him behind for the night. In his moment of need, she got in the car and drove to see him and to be a source of strength for him, rather than sit at home, bemoaning her plight. Ingrid is thankful for much.

POW! #3: We, human beings, are remarkable creatures. We can adapt to the most bizarre circumstances and function effectively. Ingrid is clearly better at driving with one eye than I am. Why? She had to train her single eye to be very skillful, doing the job of two. When driving, she avoids using her cell phone. All her faculties are poised, focused, listening and sensing what is going on around her. Come to think of it, she is a better driver than many people with both eyes working.

It is said that people who cannot see, have a sharper sense of hearing. Denied of functioning in one area, we compensate by growing capabilities in other areas. What are your limitations and weaknesses in life? Do they hold you back? Do they become excuses for mediocrity and underachievement? You have no excuse, you know. God gave you power to triumph, not just in spite of, but BECAUSE OF your limitations. But first, you must be driven by great purpose—goals, dreams and aspirations that refuse to be denied. When great purpose confronts personal limitations, the resulting anomaly causes capabilities to grow within you. You discover other strengths that would otherwise go unexploited.

Once again, you and I have no excuse for mediocrity and underachievement, irrespective of our perceived limits. Excellence calls. So do greatness, power, and influence to touch the world. Will you answer? It takes great effort, but you can do it, even with one eye closed. Take it from me: this attitude will give you altitude.

Alvin