Look before you leap.

My mom always said, “Look before you leap.” I didn’t think much about it until we were racing through the Dallas airport on a college visit trip, trying to make a tight connection. Our next flight was in a completely different terminal, the airport was massive, and everything felt urgent. When we reached the sky train, the doors were already open, and I slipped in without hesitation, assuming my mom was right behind me.

She wasn’t. The doors closed before she could step on, and the train pulled away, leaving me moving forward alone. I remember waving through the glass, half panicked and half confused, already replaying the moment in my head. I had no idea where we were supposed to meet next, and she was definitely not thrilled when we finally reunited at the gate. Still, we made our flight, the trip continued, and what felt overwhelming in the moment slowly turned into something we could laugh about.

That saying feels different to me now. It’s about awareness. About checking in, staying connected, and not letting panic decide your next step. Life has plenty of moments that feel like that sky train, already moving and pushing you forward before you’re ready.. My mom’s words remind me that moving ahead works best when it’s thoughtful, not rushed or driven by fear. Sometimes the better choice is to pause and actually look before you leap.

P.S. Actually she’s still mad.