I remember a time as I was walking down a busy street, I noticed people would look down as they passed by and would avoid looking up even if I said hello. On this particular day it felt like everyone was going out of their way to look the other way although I am sure it was nothing personal. I took notice that day because I had heard about another tragic school shooting in America and I was feeling a sense of sad numbness and wondered why are so many in our society feeling so isolated and alone.

There was a time when I performed for high school students all over the country and one of those communities were the students of Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. I shared my music with them before that horrible shooting at their school. They were no different than any community living their life in America and they had no idea of what they were going to be asked to face.

After that tragic day I was asked to return to Littleton and offer any comfort I could. That experience will always be with me and whenever I hear of a similar act of violence I remember the importance of our need to be recognized and acknowledged. The greatest of all human needs is the need to feel connected with each other. I wrote a song which I call, Look Up. You are welcome to listen to it for free right here.

Life is full and often the things which matter most are the activities which receive little attention. They can be as simple as connecting with the person waiting on you at your table at a restaurant. When I was a boy my mom used to say to her friends that I had never met anyone that I didn't already know. This is probably because I would always would have conversations with any stranger, especially at restaurants. I enjoyed hearing mom say that about me and I sure hope I never lose that part of my personality.

Perhaps we all know each other more than we realize. We're human and even though the experiences we go through are widely different, the feelings we share all run through our hearts and minds in similar ways.

My song "Look Up" is a reminder to glance at each other with a little more kindness, especially those just walking by or those who serve us in our daily activities. You never know what another is going through at the time you happen to walk by them. A simple smile may be all that is required to offer a life altering moment. We create with our every action in life and have an opportunity to lift the vibe with our every interaction. The ripple effect we create can destroy or heal the world.

Next time you're in a restaurant, Look Up at your waiter or waitress and say hi...before you say place your order.

Please share your comments below.

Look Up

by Karl Anthony (from the Hold The Sky cd)

What if I look up and notice you
But I turn away, like so many do, as if I didn’t see you

When people look up, then the walls can come tumbling down

When you see a child, stare at your face
They want so bad, to walk in your shoes,
every child looks up to you

It all seems to matter, as we pass one another, we must look up
When people look up, then the walls can come tumbling down
We got to look up, then the world will look up

Now there’s a boy out there, who could take his life
He thinks no one cares,
so he withdrew, one smile is all he needs from you

And all those who hate, they need our love
Every move I make, is a chance to get through,
when I take time to know you

It all seems to matter, as we pass one another, we must look up
People look up, then the walls can come tumbling down
We got to look up, then the world will look up
We must look up…look up, look up
when people look up, we must look up…look up
when people look up…we must look up

What if I look up and I notice you,
but I don’t turn away, kind of like deja vu, like I already know you