Thursday 2 July 2015

Look Up - A Mantra I Live By

I find it fascinating to people watch, to wonder where people are rushing to or what they are doing.  I also find it fascinating to look skyward.  Whether it be the colours in the sky, the shape of clouds, wildlife fluttering by or even architectural interest... it all inspires me.  Ever since childhood I've enjoyed a good view and historical shapes in buildings.

Increasingly, largely due to portable technology the mantra of "Looking Up" applies ever more in all situations.  I find this spoken word by Gary Turk so powerful - if you haven't heard it before, please do have a listen...


Whilst I was observing a whole number of things in London, I noticed how much people were looking down.  Especially from a wheelchair this was a real issue - people walking would only notice that they were about to walk into me in the chair once they were literally on top of me - largely because they wore earphones and were looking at devices whilst walking down a busy London pavement!  

Whilst we were looking up though we could enjoy the amazingly beautiful architecture on the fronts of many of the shop facades.  Glorious.


One thing I would like to encourage in my children as they grow is the joy to be found in Looking Up.  To appreciate all the beauty in the world and engage with our environment.  Having experienced post natal depression and pain related anxiety, I have become more mindful of what helps to have a positive impact on my mental health.  Looking up, being grateful & appreciating the simple things and crafting to find that 'flow' state of mind are the most powerful lessons I have learnt.  Do you have any lessons you have learnt to help with your happiness?  What do you want your lasting message to your children or loved ones to be?  Please share - I'm always happy to learn more!

Take care until next time,
J9 x

1 comment:

  1. One of the few good things about using a wheelchair (apart from not collapsing in a heap because you DO need one but left it behind) is that, if someone else is pushing, you don't have to look where you are going! But as you say, you do have to look out for other people. I am always stopping people from barging into me and knocking their ankles on the foot rests. It amuses me that they invariably apologise when I warn them; I always say; "No, don't apologise, I didn't want you to hurt yourself." Of course there was the "lady" who barged in front of me when I was looking at something, when my pusher arrived and I said;"Let's go!" he ran over her foot! Oh the joys of not being in control! lol

    ReplyDelete