By Emma Rose Davis
Today I looked around. Normally when I walk to class, I just scroll through Instagram, respond to Snapchats, call my mom, or do anything to avoid the possibility of having a conversation. I will smile at people I know, but other than that, I keep my head down and eyes set on getting to class.
This morning was different. I could see that fall is trying to creep in. I observed my fellow students walking to class, the smell of coffee floating through the air. People were walking with headphones in, obviously feeling the Monday morning blues. Feeling the exhaustion of the weekend catching up.
Today I paid attention. I looked up from the screen and saw what was happening around me. I watched the squirrels in the Circle scampering around, running to hide from the students.
Today I chose to not be another warm body walking around this campus. I chose to be interactive, smiling at people and responding to good mornings.
Today I looked around. The way the light creeps onto the Lyceum in the mornings and peeks through the trees in the Circle, that is something I have never noticed before. My third year here has been one of excitement and growth, yet I haven’t stopped to be present. I am so guilty of getting so caught up in what is happening in everyone else’s life through Snapchats and Instagram that I forget how incredible it is to stop and observe what is happening around me. Coincidentally after my observation, my class was held outside. Sitting in the Circle and feeling the last of the summer breeze making its way out opened my eyes.
We don’t know how long we have on this earth. We do not know what tomorrow holds. So stop and look around. Be observant. Be present. If we open our eyes, there is so much to see. Be kind. Say hello. You never know what someone else is going through.