I was thinking about why I named this blog “Look Far.” There are several different ways that I think about the phrase “Look Far” and consequently, this blog. Everything that I’d like to share is wrapped up in those two words.
Stop, Think. Pause, Reflect.
If you’ve taken the time to really look at something, it means that you’ve stopped what you are doing. We need that time to stop and pause, but too often we feel like we can’t or we shouldn’t take it. Taking the time to stop has been one of the best things that I have added to my life in the last several years. Without a stopping point, life is just a constant stream of action where we can’t tell the beginning from the end. Pausing from time to time helps us to look at what we are doing.
Looking Outwards
Sometimes when we take a moment to reflect, we look out from where we are. We think about the things that we want to have and to be in our lives. We think about our goals and our priorities, and the way in which we want to live our life. We think about our families and friends and what kind of person we want to be in our relationships. When we look outwards we can see as far as our imagination will take us (which can be pretty far!), and I think we need to be willing to let our imagination stretch beyond where we thought we could go. Looking far is courageous because we don’t know if we are going to get there, but if you don’t look you won’t know in which direction you need to start walking. Let your imagination be bold.
Looking Inwards
You can also look far in the opposite direction, the direction of yourself. When you look far into yourself, you will see what motivates you and what scares you. You will see the gifts you have to share, and the challenges that you need to work on. You will see your desires and your values. You will see all of your unique preferences. You will see all the things that you have been given thus far, and all the things you wish to develop. Looking far into yourself is a process that should never end, as you could look your entire life and still discover new things. When you look outward it’s like your eyes can see for miles, but when you look inward your eyes see only that which you uncover. Keep digging and you won’t be disapointed.
The Things We Can’t See
But, while we are looking far, both outwards and inwards, we need to remember that there are things we can’t always see, and in this case we let the Universe do it’s part, just as we are doing ours. Our sight allows us to act upon what we can see, but for those things we can’t, we need to trust that we will be guided in the right direction.
Stopped to look lately? How do you “look far” in your life? Feel free to leave your answer in the comments section.
Hi Amanda,
I like the title Look Far, because it reminds us that life is more that what’s just in front of our noses. You’re also right that many worthwhile things cannot be seen with the eye. I think it was Helen Keller who said that – they must be seen with the heart.
Daphne’s last blog post..17 Inspiring Examples of Personal Creeds
Hi Amanda,
Why does every time I read your article I feel calm and peaceful?
I like the way you write, Amanda. 🙂
Thank you.
Arswino’s last blog post..I Want To Be Extraordinary !!
Amanda- I found you a week ago, and I have read your blog everytime you post- Like Arswino said- you present a calmness and peace that makes reading your blog a joy. Oh, and I love the blog title Look Far- it says so much in two words!
Jay’s last blog post..How to Save the World
Hi Daphne – Helen Keller has some great quotes. So many times we get caught up in the things right in front of our noses, but taking some time to look past is rewarding.
Hi Arswino – Thanks very much 🙂 I appreciate the compliment.
Hi Jay – Thanks a lot! Yeah, I think “Look Far” communicates everything that I was hoping. I’m glad that you have been enjoying it 🙂
Hi Amanda,
A great post. I’m going to stop and look back at me in order to see what I’ve never seen so far. Thanks for inspiring me.
Hi Amanda,
This is another great post – thank you!
Have I stopped to look lately?
Yes, but I should stop more often, and look more deeply.
How do I look far?
By looking within, and also by seeing beyond my current limitations.
Michael – Love To Spare’s last blog post..The Language of Love
Hi Vikum – Thanks for your comment – I’m glad this post inspired you 🙂 Looking back at yourself is so important – hope you learn a lot!
Hi Michael – Your welcome! I like how you mentioned “looking deeply” – there is really no such thing as too deep – you can go as far as you want. Also, looking beyond current limitations and using your imagination to get there is a great way to keep going forward. Thanks.
[…] recently came across two very interesting posts by Amanda Linehan: Become Yourself and Look Far. In Become Yourself, Amanda invites us to explore what “being yourself” really means. […]
Hi Amanda
What a lovely post, great title. Yes, we should look inward and outward. And than I always think if I still can find the answer, that it is because I am earning my wings. So I just need to trust that it is right and stay on my path.
Thank you,
Giovanan Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Giovanna Garcia’s last blog post..Bulldog in Tutu.
Hi Giovanna – Thank you. Yes, I agree – finding the answer is like a guidepost for the path we are walking on. We know we are going in the right direction. 🙂
Hi Amanda,
What a great summary of what you are doing with your blog. As one who historically has looked “too far”, so much of your writing has reminded me of the importance to “look but focus” on what is important.
Thank you for putting in the effort to share your insight and positive thoughts.
Namaste,
Roger
Roger’s last blog post..Most of the Worst Things That Ever Happened to Me, Never Happened
Hi Amanda,
Just found your site today through Jay from Inner Noodle .
I love the concept of Look Far. Also good word is altitude which is the same concept.
Often we just so busy that we need to zoom out and look on our life from the distance. At the same time it is good idea to zoom in and implement our visions. It has to be balanced. Unfortunately for the most part we tend to be busy and don’t have time to think and look on ourselves from a distance.
Peter Levin’s last blog post..5 Simple Ways to Know if You Will Make it Big
Hi Roger – I really like how you put that – “look but focus.” I think you can look too far sometimes. I think it’s also a matter of knowing not only when to “stop to look,” but when to “stop looking” (and take action) 🙂
Hi Peter – I’m glad you stopped by 🙂 Thanks for your comment. I like your ideas of “zooming in” and “zooming out.” Looking at your life from a distance can help you see patterns and trends, while zooming in can help you see what details you need to change. Both are important.
Best. Picture. Ever.
Hi Amanda
Wonderful to hear the background to your blogname.
I had not thought of the Looking Far within. That is a wonderful expansion.
Somehow I feel I know you a little more now. 😉
Juliet
LifeMadeGreat – Juliet’s last blog post..What Do You Think Of This Quote?
Hi Christopher – The picture is really beautiful. I’m glad I found it. 🙂
Hi Juliet – Yeah, I like all the different ways you can “look far.” I think we first think of looking towards something, but you can look far in a lot of directions. 🙂