Here’s to keeping our eyes and ears open as we go through our days.

For two reasons.

First, acute observation is the beginning of all wonderful art. For deep emotion and feeling must be noticed, and understood, before it can be expressed. This is where it starts if you want to convey an idea that you care about.

Second, a critical eye can allow us to see what is obvious about our world: It is devastatingly beautiful. And we are incalculably precious.

I mean, if you begin to notice things, you could write an entire book about beauty and a walk along a shallow creek.

Understand: Beauty is everywhere (Annie Dillard sees it better than most).

If I can manage to keep my eyes and ears open, a twenty-four-hour day holds undeniable drama, astounding possibilities, and the certainty of making a difference in the lives of others.

-Andy Andrews, The Noticer Returns