Put Down that Magnifying Glass before You Burn Someone!

Ahhhh the magnifying glass...

It can be helpful, ie: looking at bugs on leaves at school, or using it to read the print of your favorite author because you don't want to admit the need for glasses.

Helpful yes, but it can also BURN!

C'mon... we've all done it. Collect a handful of dried, fallen leaves and place your magnifying glass "just so" above the small pile, while the sun does its trick creating a laser beam. It starts as a brown dot and suddenly the entire discarded foliage is on fire.

As is often the case, this illustration is applicable in each of our lives. The burning comes when the magnification is focused too long on one thing. Most of the time someone else is holding the magnifying glass--but sometimes, we do it to ourselves.

And, what does this simple-yet-intriguing invention really do anyway? It MAKES BIGGER what is SMALL.

If you've found yourself holding that magnifying glass on someone else--or even yourself--keeping it zeroed-in on whatever flaw might be enhanced; I have three suggestions:

1. Remember, the objects (flaws) in the glass appear LARGER than they actually are! (I think it says that on your side-view mirror)

2. If you are always looking through the magnifying glass, you will miss the BIG PICTURE that surrounds you.

3. If you leave the magnifying glass focused on the subject at hand for too long, you will cause irreparable damage.

So, please... before someone gets hurt (really hurt); put down the magnifying glass and step away!