Look Where You're Going

For most of my life, I’ve thought that the advice given with today’s title makes perfect sense. The phrase reminds us to watch out for hazards. At least that’s what I think when I hear it. 

But, like most of these musings, there’s no direct line from the stories to the point. 

Yesterday, I spent a couple of hours in the halls of a high school for a very cool event. Sponsored by the Iowa High School Speech Association, individuals competed in various categories. These included;

• Radio News Announcing
• Storytelling
• Solo Music Theatre
• Improvisation

As time was a factor, I attended only a few performances, but each was excellent.

Throughout the building, hall monitors were prepared with their little signs and stern faces: BE QUIET.  

We were constantly reminded that in the closed-door classrooms, performances were taking place. Our silence was crucial to the performer's success.

As we waited for one performance to end and our speaker to begin, there was little to do. Keeping my mouth shut, I was looking around and noticed the ceiling tiles. It turns out that the graduating senior class leaves a creative description of their legacy with their special addition to a row of painted acoustical tiles. 

Since it caught my interest, I started walking down the hall – looking up. And like a sneeze, that action was socially contagious as others did the same.

Thinking about this day, I was reminded of several things. 

• In a December article, Seth Godin says,” Where we choose to direct our gaze determines not only what we learn or believe, but how we choose to see the world.”
• Psychology Today makes some interesting points in an article by Colin Ellard called, Look Up: The Surprising Joy of Raising Your Gaze. 
• Huff Post continues this theme with Happiness is Looking up.

We are capable of moving ourselves from despair to hope if we adjust our gaze. We are capable of a better life if we look where we are going.

Of course, none of this is new. We can look back thousands of years as we read;

• He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10
• “I lift up my eyes to the mountains where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

It is definitely time that I take my own advice. Be silent and look to God for my direction. 

The title today is more than a warning. Expanded, it can also move me toward a calmer, more focused, and happier life. It might also mean that others will join me.