"Mira las estrellas y no tus pies. Trata de darle sentido a lo que ves y pregúntate qué hace que el universo exista. Sé curioso."

Imagine you’re out walking one night. The sky is clear, and stars are shining brightly above you. What if you just stared at your feet the whole time? You’d miss out on the beauty and mystery of the universe. The simple idea here is about perspective and curiosity—encouraging us to look beyond the mundane and to explore the wonders of the world around us.

Stephen Hawking, the brilliant physicist who gave us this quote, knew a thing or two about looking beyond the obvious. Despite being diagnosed with ALS and given only a few years to live, he went on to become one of the most renowned scientists of our time. He could’ve easily focused on his limitations, but instead, he chose to delve into the mysteries of the cosmos. He worked on black holes, theoretical physics, and cosmology, constantly asking questions and seeking answers.

Think about the Hubble Space Telescope for a second. Launched in 1990, it’s given us some of the most detailed images of far-off galaxies, nebulae, and cosmic phenomena. If scientists hadn't been curious about what lies beyond our immediate view, we’d never have those breathtaking images. That’s curiosity in action—looking up, asking questions, and pushing the boundaries of what we know.

So how do you apply this wisdom? Start by changing your perspective. When you’re faced with a problem or a routine, don’t just look at it from your usual angle. Ask yourself what else is out there. What aren’t you seeing? This could be as simple as trying a new hobby or reading a book outside your usual genre. It’s about embracing curiosity and letting it lead you to new discoveries.

Let’s say you’re at a crossroads in your career. Your job feels stagnant, and you’re not sure what to do next. Instead of fixating on the obstacles—like feeling unqualified for new roles or worrying about financial stability—lift your gaze. Think about what excites you. What have you always been curious about but never pursued? Maybe it’s a different industry, a side project, or further education. The point is to explore, wonder, and be curious. You might stumble upon something that lights a fire in you, something you wouldn’t have seen if you hadn’t looked up.

Picture this: Maria, an accountant at a firm for ten years, felt stuck. Every day was the same—spreadsheets, numbers, reports. One night, she attended an astronomy lecture out of sheer curiosity. She was mesmerized by the idea of the vast universe and the endless possibilities it held. Inspired, she began taking online courses in data science, a field that intrigued her because of its potential to uncover hidden patterns and insights. Within a year, she transitioned into a new role that combined her accounting background with data analytics. Maria felt reinvigorated and excited about her career again, all because she decided to look up instead of down.

So next time you find yourself bogged down by the day-to-day grind or facing a tough decision, remember to look up. Be curious. Wonder about the universe and your place in it. You never know what you might discover.