What Are My Random Thoughts on Contact Lenses?

Speaking of goodbyes, I’ve been considering a switch from regular glasses to light contact lenses. This got me thinking about the different lens colors available. You could choose blue, honey, or even bold red lenses for a unique look.

But to me, what’s more important than how others see my eye color is what I get to see. I’d love to see a crimson sky every day, even if it meant everything else appeared in altered colors. The intensity of red sparks effort and emotion.

Sometimes I wonder how life might be on planets with seas of green, yellow, or orange-red skies instead of blue. Could we make contact lenses that act as color filters, turning the blue sky into these different hues?

My only worry is whether this would be a niche interest. Specifically, how many would really want to wake up to a world bathed in the color of blood? Still, it’s a dream worth exploring.

Why Am I Searching for a New Philosophy?

On another note, I’m searching for a new philosophy of life. The current fatalistic view is pulling me into a midlife crisis at just 23. Feeling like life is slipping away isn’t a good sign.

So, I’ve decided to break this losing streak with a touch of science, so to speak. The new rules involve seeing reality with a bit of skepticism.

These new rules focus on a fresh optimism, almost bordering on silliness. It all started with a book I recently received called “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne. At first, it seems like fluff for the semi-intellectual, lacking scientific proof.

In fact, it feels almost paranormal. It suggests that we attract what we think about. Therefore, we should clearly define our desires, focus our thoughts on them, and act as if we already have them.

According to Sharot (2011), humans show a pervasive optimism bias. They consistently overestimate the likelihood of positive future events and underestimate negative ones.

Eventually, our dreams will come true, or so the theory goes. If you want more free time, start believing you have plenty.

For wealth, expect a check instead of a bill in your mailbox. If you wish for a dream partner, mentally ‘order’ them and wait for the universe to align your path.

Even health is said to follow this pattern—focus on thoughts of wellness, not illness. According to Rosenthal and Jacobson (1968), expectations alone can shape outcomes. For instance, students whose teachers were merely told to expect strong performance went on to show significantly greater gains, a phenomenon known as the self-fulfilling prophecy.

How Does This Mindset Play Out Psychologically?

This approach doesn’t hurt anyone or disrupt anything. I might have been too analytical about life, blaming myself if I didn’t get what I wanted, and then overanalyzing.

According to Langer (1975), people often overestimate how much personal control they have over outcomes. This is true even when those outcomes are actually governed by chance, a tendency known as the illusion of control. It’s worth believing that we already have what we care about, even if it’s not always obvious.

Of course, adopting this mindset might make me appear naively optimistic, finding beauty in life and goodness in people. According to Taylor and Brown (1988), mildly positive illusions about oneself and the world are common among mentally healthy people. Moreover, these illusions are genuinely associated with greater well-being, not just self-deception.

Yet, everyone finds ways to escape reality. Believers find comfort in visions of an afterlife, skeptics dive into pleasure and fatalism, and some turn to substances.

So why not cultivate my own brand of optimistic outlook? Especially since, after a few days, I’m feeling upbeat and believe my life has more value than I previously thought.

If you’re interested, I recommend checking out the book. It might seem like nonsense, but if you’re feeling desperate and craving something more, it’s worth a try. There’s also a movie with the same title, though I’m just starting it and can’t vouch for its quality yet.