I would describe myself as a passionate person. There are so many things that I just have so much enthusiasm about and that give me so much excitement. Above all, I am passionate about Jesus Christ. This is partly because His passion for us is so much more than anything we could ever be passionate about. I find this truth to be absolutely amazing. However, my worldly passions include things like clouds, birds, food, nutrition, different cultures, people, science, language, knowledge, grace and so much more. The basis of all of my passions, though, is this: I look up. I like to think that I see the world around me, rather than being wrapped up in all that is in front of me. Looking up, away from our lives can lead us to discover our world in a so many ways we never would have thought possible.

The other day I was sitting outside on the patio outside my home. I was studying for the ACT, an evil test that I am passionate about conquering. Nerdy, I know, but while I was outdoors, I gazed up to see the oh-so-familiar V shape of geese that were flying over. The closer I looked I noticed that among the geese was a lone white bird at one end of the V. I was shocked at this flaw in what I considered normal. I stared at the flock, trying to get an idea of what this strange bird was and just what exactly it thought it was doing with the others. After they flew off beyond my view, I quickly retrieved my phone to google the matter, and I found that what I saw was a snow goose. I found it so peculiar that this bird was flying with others that weren’t of its kind. Sure, they were related in the fact that they were geese, but I was humbled by that fact that nature accepted diversity.

Now, I’m sure that my friend Jessy is rolling her eyes at the fact that I just told a story about birds, and maybe you are too! However, my point is so much broader than looking up in the sky to see the birds, or the clouds, or the stars (however, I highly recommend all of those things). Ultimately, what I am saying is that we all need to STOP looking down when there are so many things we can learn or discover by looking up. We need to stop confining our world to simply ourselves and what’s in front of us. We need to look up and see all of the beautiful things that the universe has to offer! We need to look up and see the sad things in the world like sickness and poverty… and do something about them! We need to look up and explore our passions and find new passions through that exploration! This blog is going to be focused on my passions- all of the wondrous things I look up and see, as well as the not-so-wondrous things that I see of which I think should be addressed. All in all though, I hope that today you will give yourself a chance to join me and look up.