tuning in
Michael often teases me for being unobservant. It is true that I once, after three years of living in our home, looked up at the kitchen ceiling and exclaimed “woah! When did you put in that fluorescent light?” Turns out that light had, indeed, been there the whole time. So, yes, it is true that I can be a little unobservant. I’ll give him that.
In my defense, I do notice other things. I’m the one who recognizes actors’ faces in shows (gotta love recognizing well-known celebs in bit parts from before they were famous), can often work out spices used in a dish with just a bite, and will always find the nearest dog or cat to cuddle. Isn’t it true that we’re all tuned in to that which is of interest to us?
It’s easy, though, to go through life on autopilot. I’m sure we’ve all driven somewhere familiar (maybe the daily commute to work?) and found ourselves all parked and done with our drive, with no memory of what we did. To be perfectly mindful at all times is incredibly difficult, perhaps impossible? Maybe not for a super meditator, but for most of us, it’s kind of a tall order.
And then, of course, there are the distractions we have clogging things up almost all the time. I’ve got music or a podcast on during my drives, and a show or movie on while cooking and doing laundry. Standing in line to pay for groceries often leads me to pull out my phone for a little perusal of emails or texts. I’m often far too busy being distracted to spend much energy on being mindful or noticing what’s around me. And I don’t think it’s just me. I see people whipping out their phones in waiting rooms all the time; rarely do I see a coffee shop with any customers just sitting and observing the world around them as they sip. I have a hunch that many of us are often quite distracted.
So, for this week’s prompt, let’s try the opposite. Let’s tune in.
prompt #47:
I invite you to spend some time noticing. I suggest taking yourself on a solo walk with no distractions of music, audiobooks, or podcasts. Engage in some mindful walking, which is essentially just using all of your senses to really tune in to yourself and your surroundings. Pay attention to how your body feels; how would you describe the sensation of your feet pushing off the ground? What sounds do you hear, up close and far away? How are you contributing to the sounds in this space? And what about scents and tastes? Anything calling your attention, or drifting in just barely? What sights arrest your attention? Notice what you usually gloss right over, big and small.
At first, you may feel bored, but I’m sure you’ll soon find an abundance of observations—maybe even too many to track. Our minds protect us by engaging in discrimination. To be so tuned in to everything all the time would be exhausting, but noticing it all for a time is kind of exhilarating. I wouldn’t be surprised if you find your mind filled with all sorts of ideas and thoughts. Enjoy it.
Then, when you’re done, take pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and let the experience of noticing set you alight. You may want to describe the sensations that stood out to you, following an image, or you may find yourself enumerating an idea that came to you during that mindful time. It doesn’t really matter what you write, so let yourself enjoy the process.
And, as always, please send it my way if you’d like to share your work in next week’s newsletter.
ashley's piece, a small moment:
A shhh of eucalyptus leaves in the wind,
the white noise hum of waves crashing,
a soft crunch of my feet’s steps,
the tinkling of tags.
I could hold this moment in my hand,
it's so tiny.
Set it into a locket
strung around my neck,
open it when my heart is weary,
take a deep breath and carry right on.