Awareness is a Lost Art

Though I try real hard to stay in the moment and notice the people around me, it’s so easy to get distracted…

I remember being on a plane after speaking somewhere and being convicted of this. In that moment I wrote down a simple goal:

“I want to have open eyes to people’s needs.”

What I meant by this is that I want to get better at putting myself and my needs aside. I want to be more aware of those around me. I want to see what God sees. I still don’t do it right all the time, but my desire is to try my best.

As you know, we live in a world of constant distractions. Notifications, text messages, phone calls, etc. We are always busy with something. Our schedules are packed. Our minds spin with endless responsibilities. It seems we are always rushing here and there, juggling several things at once in the name of trying to multitask and be efficient. This can blind us to life.

I am convinced that awareness is a lost art.

While this comes naturally to some people, it’s a trait that any of us can learn. Playing sports all my life and being the youngest of five siblings have taught me about spatial awareness: being attentive to my surroundings, anticipating moves, reading people. This has crossed over from the field to my personal life.

I’ll admit, there are times I walk into an airport and I can’t wait to get on the plane, slink into my seat, put on my headphones, and watch a good movie. And there is nothing wrong with that. At the same time, we can all benefit from not just focusing on the end goal but also paying mind to the space around us. There might be an opportunity to make a difference. And who doesn’t want to do that? You could be paying for your coffee and notice someone a few feet away who’s been crying. Take a minute and ask if there is something you can do.

Look, it’s not about being perfect. And it’s not about putting everything in your life on hold so you can help or talk to or encourage every single person who crosses your path. It’s just about keeping things in perspective. It’s about slowing down and opening your eyes enough to see others. To see a world that exists outside your own. To see people who need help. To see people who are hurting.

I promise you this: if you open your eyes to actually see people, you’ll begin to uniquely see certain people. I’m more attuned to people who have special needs. You may be moved toward noticing people who struggle with depression. Make this your mission. Be intentional in broadening your spatial awareness. Ask God to take the blinders of distraction off your eyes and show you people who may need you. Then use the opportunity to help them out, lift up their spirits, or guide them where they need to go.

How do you see people? How do you want to see them?

I want to invite you, in the middle of busyness or even in the middle of fun and laughter and chatting it up with a potential coffee date, to stop. Remember that in the midst of whatever you are doing, people around you are hurting. And if you ask God to open your eyes in whatever you are doing, He can show you an opportunity to impact someone’s life, whether in a big or a small way. It can come at any time, at any place, in the middle of anything you do. You just need to be ready for it. And stop and see.

God Bless!