“Going sane.” Hmm. I thought that was an interesting way of putting it. Oh-so-true, actually. Julia’s grandmother paid attention to the smaller details in her otherwise hectic life with her husband. After reading that, I realized that the auto-pilot lifestyle here in New York doesn’t favor stopping to smell the roses. It needs to be done consciously. But I think you don’t necessarily have to live in New York to bypass the little miracles in everyday life. So, I decided that I wasn’t going to listen to the ipod on the train this week, rather I was going to pay attention to my surroundings. Admiring the New York skyline as the Q train made it’s way over the Manhattan Bridge looked storybook! It was also interesting to see the people (and one was good looking I might add!) coming and going. I felt like a fly on the wall as I people watched but I also felt connected.
Paying attention is essential to growth. It enhances your creativity and awareness. As you start taking your walks (Julia suggests that you go by yourself without a pet, cell and/or ipod/mp3/whatever your device of choice is) notice your surroundings. Try to incorporate your five senses into the experience. Any noticings?
You know, I have always loved watching people. Reading this made me realize that I have been doing it a whole let less these days. In the summer, I sometimes sit out by the fountain at work and watch the people going by but most of the time I sit there and meditate and purposely shut them out. Sometimes it’s a matter of balance, I need the inner isolation amidst the busy traffic around me, but sometimes, it would be nice to just saunter around and drink it all in.
In both writing and being a witness to an event (whether a crime, accident or something more positive) we’re encouraged to pay attention to the tiniest details we observe. I just returned from a gym workout and I’d be hard-pressed to describe any of the people who were around me. I remember the people at the counter – well, 2 out of 3, but that’s about it. How many of our physical senses do we shut down on a regular basis?