Almost every day is the same; I spend most of my day looking straight ahead and a much smaller portion looking down. It is rare that I shift my visual focus upward, and rarer still for my upward gaze to persist for any length of time.
On July 4, I found myself making an exception as I watched an impressive and lengthy (almost 30 minutes!) fireworks show from my home in Fort Worth, Texas.
And, now, I’m recognizing that this temporary visual reorientation provided me with a larger lesson.
Look Again
We’ve reached mid-year 2021. Being half-way through the year is an ideal time to pause or temporarily suspend your normal view. Set aside some time this week to look up, to look around, and to look from as many different angles as possible at all you’ve done during the first six months of the year. And, take some time to look ahead. As you consider your personal and professional 2021 goals, what needs to be adjusted or tweaked, what needs to be deleted or has become irrelevant, and what needs to be added or to receive more of your attention in the months ahead?
I’m in a season of transition (for more on this check out My Ministry Journey: Another Big Step and also Giving Thanks – Mansfield Mission Center). In my initial weeks of serving the White Rock Center of Hope, I’m seeing everything for the first time. And, I’m doing my best to slow down and really take it all in. Part of that involves looking from all angles. And, part of this learning involves spending considerable time with others and inviting them to share what they see.