I Shut My Eyes and All the World Drops Dead; I Lift My Lids and All Is Born Again – Sylvia Plath

I Shut My Eyes and All the World Drops Dead; I Lift My Lids and All Is Born Again 

– Sylvia Plath

Have you ever closed your eyes and the weight of the world lifted, only to open them and find life rushing back in? Sylvia Plath's hauntingly beautiful words convey a deep truth about human perception—our reality is not merely what is but what we opt to see.

Understanding the Quote

This quote from Plath's poem Mad Girl's Love Song conveys the tenuous and ephemeral nature of reality as it is experienced through the mind. As soon as we close our eyes—literally or metaphorically—we lose contact with the world. But once we open them, we recreate it all over again, many times colored by emotions, experiences, and inner stories.

The quote can be read in different ways:

• Subjective Reality – Our mind controls our experience of the world. A crisis of desperation can make the whole world appear desolate, and hope can paint the same world with radiance.
• Mental Escapism – At times, shutting our eyes is a escape, a means of separation from agony or chaos, and a space is created where nothing exists at all.
• Rebirth Through Awareness – Opening our eyes again is a metaphor for opening our minds. It represents renewal, an opportunity to look at the world in a new way.

Real-Life Examples

• The Vision of the Artist – Various super painters, poets, and musicians have employed solitude and contemplation to unplug themselves prior to recreating the world anew through their work. Vincent van Gogh, for example, found beauty in nights that were full of stars despite his turmoil within.

• Mindfulness & Meditation – Mindfulness practice usually entails closing one's eyes to eliminate distractions and connect again with the current moment. This practice changes one's way of seeing life upon opening them again.

• Conquering Adversity – Individuals going through depression or trying times tend to believe closing their eyes could potentially eliminate the ache. Yet courage arises as soon as they open them and recognize opportunities to turn things around.

How to Apply This Wisdom in Life

• Control Your View – Understand that reality is not only what occurs but how you see it. Changing your attitude can alter your whole experience.
• Step Back – When feeling overwhelmed, give yourself moments of mental withdrawal, then return with a new perspective.
• Welcome Renewal – Every day is an opportunity to 'open your eyes' once more and view life in a different way.

Final Thoughts

Sylvia Plath's words are a reminder that perception is a strong force. Our reality is defined by the way we decide to perceive it. When things feel insufferable, sometimes all we need to do is close our eyes for a second—only to open them with a new sense of purpose and clarity.

What does this quote say to you? Let us know in the comments!

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