There are almost 8 billion people in this world and I am certain that not a single person sees the world exactly like another. Obviously, this statement lends itself to a wide array of different interpretations, but I mean it in the most basic of contexts. Colors. I mean it as visually seeing something different then every other person on the planet. We were all trained to label colors so that things could be agreed upon for the sake of the general public. I believe each human sees the world as an entirely uniquely colorful experience. Even more amazingly, we each have the ability to change the colors we see the world with. Let me explain:
If my understanding of The Physics of Light (6 part Netflix documentary) serves me correctly, the color of an object is determined by the amount of light it absorbs. The unique chemical make up of an object causes a certain amount of light to be absorbed and a certain amount to be bounced back into space. What is rejected by an objects surface is what we perceive the color of that object to be. Our eye ball works under a similar construct. What I am arguing is that the amount of detail each individual puts into the definition of that amount of light can not be proven. I think we all see the world very differently but have agreed on a set language for colors. Some people see the world through vibrant eyes (or at least what I deem to visually represent vibrant in my brain) while others see it through flat eyes. Each individual also has the ability to alter from one set of eyes to the other. Our moods, daily habits, lifestyle choices and a multitude of other variables can change what type of eyes we use to see the world through. By taking control over these variables we can train ourselves to see the world in it's truest, most vibrant form.
Recently, I had been seeing the world composed of mostly flat coIors. After spending four years diligently achieving my Bachelor's Degree, I submersed myself in the most fast paced environment I had ever experienced, New York City. I had spent the better part of a decade doing everything in my power as fast as humanly possible, one wheeled balancing acts at 100+ MPH on motorcycle included. Then the universe told me to slow down. So I did. I felt like my life was a train, of which I was starring out the window. The faster the train moved, the less detail and depth there was in the buildings, trees and people in my life. Colors seemed to blend together and I began to form larger generalizations for what I labeled as any color. What was once burnt orange or sunburst suddenly became all lumped into being labeled red. When anyone's life's pace is fast, the colors will appear flatter and less detailed. Your brain will be in a more frantic, hectic state in attempt to handle the speed of information. It will begin to spend less time on particular topics. Since you’re laundry list of things to do is so long, you simply do not have time to stop and smell, or even see the roses.
The slower times in life always seem to have the most vivid memories. These were usually times in my life spent home with my family in Pennsylvania, long backpacking trips on the Appalachian Trail or quietly alone with only the ice, snow, thoughts and a board strapped on my feet. When we slow life down through meditating, re-connecting with nature or ingesting marijuana and reading The Teachings of Buddah, we see the small details of life for the tiniest of uniquenesses. It is a great way to start the process of living life in the moment. We remember the difference between burnt orange and sunburst. Going fast and seeing colors flatly in our life can also be a good thing, if done in the right settings. These can be the times in our lives that we accomplish amazing tasks. When we travel to new places and reach new professional levels of proficiency in our lives. Flat colored times can be the those you look back on and say “I don't know how I did it, but I got shit done!”.
The vivid times usually brought with them a sense of relaxation. Sadly the ability to have these vivid periods in life is growing exceedingly harder for our society to allow in their busy schedules, especially in the United States. We have incorrectly established a system that promotes, and at times glorifies, the high paced lifestyle. We encourage employees to work ridiculously long hours with the allure of overtime rates to which some people even choose to wear as a badge of pride. In France, the cuisine is high in fat, but because of their value system, they tend to eat much slower. In turn eating smaller portions and having a more balanced diet. They take time to appreciate the meal for its tiniest of details. Americans want things quick and in abundance. We are caring less and less what we are putting into our bodies. It was proven that Taco Bell was using sand as an approved filler! Sand! I wonder how fast society would have to be based on before human remains became an approved filler? At least that would be real meat.
But be warned my friend, focusing on those beautifully microscopic intricacies of life for too long can be harmful as well. When your focus narrows too closely and your pace moves too slowly you will inevitably be selling yourself short of the true distance you may have been able to traverse in life. As with anything, balance is key. Too far in either direction, fast or slow, is not healthy.
Picture a 1983 Harley Davidson Shovelhead. Picture that bitchin' behemoth of a bike with minnie ape hangers, straight pipes and a raw hide spring supported solo seat. Color? Flat black. The humble background is only a highlighter of the sharp, fast, sparkeling chrome trim. Not too much and in just the right places. Adding a sense of pop and shine to the smoothness of the black. She seductively smiles with the white pin striping on the tank and fenders. Suddenly, curves begin to appear on this flat black beauty. And if you slow way down and get up real nice and close you can even see some black pearl inlaid skulls, dice and even a pin-up girl or two. It is visual sex. Regardless of whether this bike is doing 75 down the coast line or sitting still in the garage, she looks good. That can be your life and I have more theories on how.
