“Don’t take pictures. Stand here and see it”

This is Daily Dadspeak—daily reflections on becoming a dad, while still growing up myself. You can find the full mini-pod audio list here.

On our walk to school today, my kids and I were enjoying the morning bird songs (and squawks), and the spring flowers just starting to bloom.

We approached one tree that reminded me of the Japanese cherry blossom season (桜 sakura, in Japanese). My kids walked straight under the tree and looked up into the light pink petals emerging from dark pink buds.

I was two steps behind and pulled out my camera to grab a photo. One of my kids turned and saw me taking the picture, and he shook his head and said, “Daddy, don’t take a picture. Stand under here and see it.”

There’s a lot of wisdom in those words.

So often we look at the world through a lens. We take pictures without stopping to really absorb the beauty we’re trying to capture. Even without a camera between us and our surroundings, we often walk right past blooming flowers, changing leaves, dogs playing, and children laughing. We might kind of notice these things, but we don’t really see the joy and splendor of the world breathing right in front of us.

How often do you take time to stop and see what’s right in front of you?

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