My son likes to look up. I don’t mean at me, or other adults, but UP up, to the sky, or the ceiling, or the ceiling fan (which he’s mesmerized by). The other day, I took him out of the car, and he immediately flung his head back and grinned widely at the outstretched branches of the trees overhead. He was so full of joy that I laughed out loud, then wanted to cry at the poignancy of the moment.

The conventional wisdom is that babies and children have a lot to teach adults about slowing down, observing the world, and living in the moment. This is one of those great lessons: stop what you’re doing, and Look Up. Even if there’s nothing to see but a ceiling with a few dust bunnies in the corner, physically looking up serves two purposes:

1. It gives you a new perspective. My son’s fascination with the ceiling fan made me think about the engineering of the fan and the construction of our house, two things I rarely consider. His joy at the light filtering through the trees instantly connected me with nature and allowed me to take a moment to appreciate the years it took to create the beautiful canopy overhead.

2. It lightens your spirit. Go ahead, do it. Look up, even just a little, then look back down. Don’t you feel better?

As you go through your day today, remember to Look Up to receive your gifts of perspective and cheer.

This picture was taken over the summer, the view through the trees (the same ones Edwin delighted at) from my hammock.