Look Up
Yesterday was one of those perfect summer days, so I decided to take a little break from adulting and go for a hike to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.
As I walked through the trails, listening to the birds singing and hearing the wind softly rustling the trees, hoping I wouldn't get a tick that I would need to flick, I noticed that I was keeping my head down a lot.
Keeping my focus on the ground is undoubtedly my protective instinct to avoid disaster since I am known to trip over even the smallest pebble, root, or twig on the ground.
It dawned on me that I was probably missing out on some beautiful stuff that wouldn't be found amidst the dirt and muck I focused on.
So, I stopped and looked up.
It's important to point out that it's always a great idea to stop when looking up. Remind me to tell you the story of me vs. a tree trunk someday.
Stopping for a moment forced me to take in everything —the sky, the trees, the water, and the flowers.
We miss the good stuff if we keep our heads down and focus only on the ground and the path before us.
Pausing and looking up allows us to behold the beauty around us.
When I stopped and looked up, I saw the most beautiful sky, and in the clouds, I swear I could see an angel with prismatic, fluffy clouds as wings.
Tears filled my eyes as a white butterfly flew around me at that moment - something that always makes me feel like my Mom is visiting me.
I would have missed it if I had kept my head down and my eyes focused downward.
There's our lesson for today, my fellow traveler.
Stop and look up.
Even if the path you are walking is somewhat treacherous, take the time to stop and look up.
Even if you are in a hurry to get there, take the time to stop and look up.
There is beauty to behold, even amidst rough terrain or stormy skies.
Stop, take a breath, look up, and behold the beauty surrounding you.
You don't want to miss it.
Because man, oh man, what a wonderful world it is.
Psalm 104: 24-25
How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom, you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number - living things both large and small.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.