Looking Up

Lookup to the sky. You’ll never find rainbows if you’re looking down. Charlie Chaplin

When I walk or bike, I find myself looking at the ground in front of me so that I don’t trip, or ride over an obstacle that might cause me to fall. Sometimes I feel this is how we look at life, down. Down in the mires of whatever we are doing, without paying attention to what is going on around us. In today's society, people are looking down at their phone, more than they are looking up at others around them. While missing out on what is going on around us is one downfall to looking down all the time; I have found another reason why looking up is better: Joy.

When I look up, I see this wonderful world around me. My spirits are uplifted, literally and figuratively. When I look up even higher, up at the sky, I feel an immense sense of peace and wonder. I am in awe. My whole mood changes in that moment. I find that whatever I was thinking about is gone, replaced by beauty. On my walk today, I was surrounded by blue sky and beautiful cloud formations. Looking up was transforming. 

There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope. Bernard Williams

While I’ve struggled with my drive to work each morning, I am forever delighted by the sunrises I see along the way. Each one is so unique, so beautiful and so uplifting. I am always tempted to stop along the way to try and capture the beauty of the sun rising above the city as I get closer to work. Since this isn’t safe, I have found ways to stop right after I leave my house, or at a stoplight, to capture the amazing creations.

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky. ~Rabindranath Tagore

While in Key West years ago, everyone would stand at Mallory Square to watch the sun set. All three nights, crowds clapped for an orange ball falling into the water. It was amazing, but not as beautiful as the sunsets we have at home with clouds in them.  As we go through life, our days can not always be clear blue skies. There are bound to be clouds that pass through. Those clouds are the interesting parts, the memories, the pain, the relief, the sorrow, the happiness and the joy. Clouds add to the beauty of the sky and they add dimensions to our lives.