If you’ve been on an escalator—that automated moving pathway that travels through airports and other large entities—you know well how easy it is to become oblivious to what might be going on around you. You’re just thinking about getting from Point A to Point B. Let me encourage you to look for the Escalator Stop Button next time you ride. It’s red or orange and should be at the beginning and at the end of your moving pathway.

What’s so important about finding that stop button? It could save someone’s life. Passengers can fall upon entering or exiting their moving pathway. And someone’s noticing and pushing the escalator stop button could save their life. Otherwise, someone’s close relative or best friend may helplessly lie there until life is choked out of them. You can’t save yourself if you are the person who has fallen. But the quick action of someone else can alert the automated system to alert a real human being to help you.

Your life is like an automated moving pathway: enter here, exit there. Do you even know how to take a breath, look around, and enjoy the moment? Of course, I realize that for some this is a luxury they cannot afford. They are too busy just trying to pay the bills, take care of the family, and keep from drowning in a sea of daily responsibilities.

FIND YOUR LIFE’S STOP BUTTON and push it occasionally. Your own life and other lives will be richer for it.

Life’s Stop Button
Connie Carlisle Polley, 2026
ConnieCarlislePolley.com
NonnyDay.com

Check out Nonny’s children’s books…