There's nothing quite like seeing things in real life, in real time. Like seeing the effect of a breeze on the leaves of a tree while feeling the brush of it on your cheek at the very same time.

Every year, two of my adventure buddies and I go on a backpacking trip. One year, while the three of us bumbled through the woods with our weighty packs, we decided that every once in a while one of us would yell, 'Don't forget to look up!' It was something we had established to remind ourselves and the other two to take in every part of where we were. We would all look up from our boots and remind our eyes of the green trees, the smells, the fluffy clouds, the trail, the plants, the mountains, the sounds of the water, the birds, the quietness.

Today I found myself on a bench in beautiful Orlando scrolling through Facebook on my phone. I glanced up and was so sweetly surprised by my view. I had been sitting on this bench, with two palm trees swaying in front of me, on a beautiful fluffy cloud kind of day, with a sunshiney view. I immediately regretted the 4 minutes of scrolling that I had just done. I couldn't even remember all the posts I had seen or why they mattered. And somewhere in my mind, it felt familiar, and the phrase, "Don't forget to look up" came to mind.

Have you ever looked up and realized that something beautiful was happening before you? Like you haven't been experiencing or feeling the moment for all that it has to offer?

Somewhere in the midst of things, there can be a disconnect between where I am, and the experience of it. Which I think happens more than I'd care to admit. Taking notice of life and people takes intentionality, it takes time to remove my eyes from the progress of my own feet to look up and see others, see moments, and to regard them, to hold them in my palm and see their value.

I think there are so many parts of life where we might see something, but not feel it, or feel something, but not see it. Or we may be so disengaged or hurting that we experience neither seeing or feeling.

I think it is so important for you to remember to take the time to look up in your life. To remember the people around you, to see your life and the beautiful parts in it, to acknowledge the pain you have, to allow yourself to feel, see it, and acknowledge it. I think it's important to be honest in the reality of where you are. To see the scene of your life, and take note of what you can touch and effect. To engage your mind and actively appreciate all that it is.

Notice the safety of your comforter at night, the first glimpse of sunshine of the day, the feeling of a kiss, the blessing of a home, a new job, your ability to learn and retain, the consistency of someone's care for you.

I promise that you won't regret your time exploring the way your life feels, the way it is, and the people in it. It's good to be thankful. It's good to look up.