According to the Oxford Learners Dictionary, “to look out for” means to avoid something bad, or to take care of someone and make sure nothing bad happens to them.
In the first meaning, I look out for:
Moose and other wildlife
Living in Alaska means looking out for critters. Hitting a moose with your car usually leads to the car being totaled. Aggravating bears while hiking is dangerous. While I love seeing them from a respectful distance, I need to look out for wildlife.
Bad weather or conditions
As they say, there’s no bad weather, just bad gear. Living in Alaska means nasty weather and rough water. It’s important to dress for the weather and be prepared for what Mother Nature throws at you. I look out for these things when I leave the house.
In the second meaning, I look out for:
Young people
As adults, it’s up to us to take care of kids. That can mean taking care of their welfare. Part of our responsibility in life is to help our next generations. I look out for young people as I work toward the future.
Each other
In general, life is better when we take care of people. Whether that’s our neighbors, our community, or humans in general, we are at our best when we touch the “better angels of our nature,” as Lincoln said. We should make the world a better place for everyone. That means looking out for each other.
What do you look out for? Or what guidelines do you live by?
Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for most of her life. After twenty years in the classroom, she retired to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering for her local library. Her young adult historical romance is set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com.