Life Advice in Only Two Words – Look Up

Whether you are in the midst of holiday shopping, preparing fabulous baked goods, or meeting end of the year deadlines, let's face it, this time of year is stressful. This last week, I noticed a dramatic difference on the already crazy South Florida roads. I'm sure it is somewhat the same wherever in the world you are. People are in a rush, emotionally charged, and on multitasking overdrive. I can only imagine what it will be like when I return to the airport for a flight to Cuba this week (featured image from Cayo Jutia, Cuba). I'm prepared for flying the unfriendly skies where patience certainly is a virtue. You bet I'm packing my own life advice!

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Life Advice in Only Two Words - Look Up

People frequently ask me at presentations or in interviews about my life advice for others.  It is very simple, but effective. I created a mantra eight years ago that quickly focuses your attention and allows you to spin your situation. Look Up is the powerful mantra that I prescribe any day of the year, but above all when things get tough, especially during the holidays.

I created Look Up to remind us all of two crucial things:

  1. Be in the moment, appreciating the beauty as well as hazards around you. In essence, be mindful.
  2. Find the upside in any situation. All hurdles, hiccups, and even wounds turn into wisdom.

It may sound too simple to work, but believe me. Try it the next time you are in a holiday return line, waiting to board your plane, or grocery shopping with the masses. You can quickly escape the madness, reframe your situation, and tap into the power of perspective.

As always, here's to looking up!

**If you would like to add an inspirational t-shirt with Look Up or other quotes from my books to your holiday gifts, check out my t-shirts online.**

15 Responses

  1. Sam
    Totally agree! I especially like to practice looking up while walking around where I live in Madrid. Sometimes living outside of your home country can be frustrating but every time I look up I'm reminded that the struggles are worth it for being able to live in such a beautiful place!!
    • Heidi Siefkas
      Being in the moment and finding the upside. Here's to looking up!
  2. From a figurative standpoint like you're describing, Look Up is great. But more than that, you can do it from a literal standpoint. When I was in Iran, I visited a lot of mosques and old buildings. My guide sort of rushed me through and it was fine. But then I started looking up. Do you know that some of the most amazing parts of old buildings - whether they are churches, mosques, old government buildings, or museums - are right there on the ceiling? It gave me a whole new appreciation for the beauty of things. We sometimes just look straight ahead and only see what's in front of us. That's too bad!
    • Heidi Siefkas
      Look Up allows us to see more than just what's in front of us or above us. Here's to looking up!
  3. I like this, both taking it metaphorically and literally. :) We didn't have sun for weeks, and today was finally a sunny day, so looking up was especially good!
  4. Love this! Being in the moment is so important!
  5. I like this, to be honest. It's simple, and easy to remember, but that doesn't make it any less profound. It's just a kind reminder for those moments when we're leading a distracted existence.
  6. So true!! It's so easy to get caught up in what we're doing and checking things off a list and miss things happening right in front of us. Looking up literally is a great way of resetting and refocusing in the moment, too.
  7. It's great advice! And it's similar to Buddhist principles. It's not easy to only focus on the present moment, but it's such an important thing! This is why I love South America and especially Colombia ^^ It's essential to admit that we can't influence everything but we can decide how to spend our day. Each moment is important in our life, even the bad ones.
    • Heidi Siefkas
      Absolutely. We control very little of this thing called life. However, we have the power to change our thoughts and spend our moment or day. Thank you Thomas! Here's to looking up in South America or wherever in the world you may be.
  8. This is such good advice that I was able to put into practice today. Long story, with a short solution - Look Up. Despite my normally being completely stressed out (given the circumstances) I feel calmer. A bit of laughter helped too. Thanks.
    • Heidi Siefkas
      Look Up is a lightweight, easy life tool that you can carry into every aspect of your life. I'm so happy to hear that it helped you. Here's to looking up!
  9. I totally agree with your first point. Often times holiday goers can't stay in the moment and forget about their problems back home. That's capable of ruining an entire trip.
    • Heidi Siefkas
      Not appreciating the moment at home or on the road is a mistake. I have to remind myself to do it daily. That's what I created Look Up!
  10. Wish I saw this before I took my first trip to Europe. I was so stressed about work and family back home that I never really enjoyed being there. Next time I'll try to forget about home and just be in the moment.

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