From A Distance!

It’s that time of year. I got a chance to step outside last weekend and the brilliant splash of fiery oranges, deep reds, and golds jumped out at me with power and might. It’s hard not to look at all of that and feel grounded—a simple, brilliant reminder that nature remains the Greatest Show on Earth.

Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York, and a host of other cities in the U.S. and around the globe know a thing or two about entertainment and putting on a great show … but nothing compares to walking in a woods full of a kaleidoscope of colors.

Later, hearing Bette Midler sing “From a Distance” felt like a natural extension of that walk. When the world feels noisy, there’s something anchoring about stepping back, looking at the bigger picture, and letting the lyrics hit home.

From a Distance

From a distance the world looks blue and green
And the snow capped mountains white
From a distance the ocean meets the stream
And the eagle takes to flight

From a distance there is harmony
And it echoes through the land
It’s the voice of hope
It’s the voice of peace
It’s the voice of every man

From a distance we all have enough
And no one is in need
And there are no guns, no bombs and no disease
No hungry mouths to feed

From a distance we are instruments
Marching in a common band
Playing songs of hope
Playing songs of peace
They are the songs of every man

God is watching us
God is watching us
God is watching us from a distance

From a distance you look like my friend
Even though we are at war
From a distance I just cannot comprehend
What all this fightings for
From a distance there is harmony
And it echoes through the land
And it’s the hope of hopes
It’s the love of loves
It’s the heart of every man
It’s the hope of hopes
It’s the love of loves
This is the song for every man

God is watching us
God is watching us
God is watching us from a distance

God is watching us
God is watching
God is watching us from a distance

Nature doesn’t demand anything from us; it just puts on its spectacular display and lets us take it in. The fiery leaves will fade soon enough, but the feeling they leave behind doesn’t have to. It’s a good reminder that peace often starts right where we stand—when we choose to look past the immediate noise and remember the hope, beauty, and connection that bind us all together. Next time the world feels a little too loud, step outside, take a breath, and look at the bigger picture. Here’s to holding onto a little more of that perspective.

What about you? Have you had a chance to step outside and catch the colors before they fade? What stands out to you?