Some of my most profound a-ha’s, insights and demonstrations of the lessons I most needed to learn have been revealed to me through nature, including the creatures that dwell within it.
Living in a busy city can make communing with nature difficult which is why I’m so grateful to have a wooded trail only steps from my door.
Whenever I need to clear my head, have a problem I can’t solve, or have hit a wall in my creativity, this trail (any trail) never fails to provide me exactly what I need – whether I knew I needed something or not.
Have you heard the expression, “Notice what you notice”?
It took me a while to grasp what this really meant.
In fact, the expression used to really bug me.
“Of course I’m going to notice what I notice. How can I not? If I’m noticing it, obviously I’m noticing it.” …or so I thought.
What I’ve come to realize is that we often go through life half awake.
Sure we notice things as we’re going about our day – stop signs, cars, people walking toward us, trees, squirrels.
We see them in our visual field, however most of them subconsciously sift through background filters that are meant to keep us from bumping into things, jolting us to attention when needed: Look out! That car’s turning right in front of you.
Often – usually – we don’t really SEE them.
I’ve come to understand that “notice what you notice” requires being “in the moment” – not lost in thought, not worrying about your to-do list, not scrolling through your Instagram posts, not rehashing what someone said and making up a story about what they meant or what you think they think of you.
It requires noticing – really observing – what’s going on around you Right Now.
What a beautiful blue sky today.
Look at how the wind is playing with the leaves.
Isn’t it cute how that chickadee almost seems to bounce from limb to limb?
…now you’re “in the moment”.
Which means you’re on step 1: you’re “noticing”.
Now go deeper.
While you’re observing – really noticing – what’s around you, notice what “speaks” to you.
Of all the things – the trees, the leaves, the creatures, the people, the pets – what grabs your attention most?
Don’t force this. Don’t search for something or try to make something fit. Try not to even think about it.
Allow it to unfold. Pay attention without intention.
What gives your gut a slight twinge?
What pokes your awareness and says, “Hey, do you see ME?”
What makes you say,“Huh, that’s interesting”?
NOW you’re noticing what you notice.
You’re noticing the feeling, reaction or awareness that’s just occurred when you consciously observed and noted what is in your presence.
Then take it one step further and tune into the lesson your gut reaction, poke or ‘huh’ is telling you.
Here’s what I recently “noticed” as I walked my trail:
Walking along the trail at my usual brisk and steady pace, my gaze shifted to a tree growing near the right side of the path. As I got closer, something caught my eye.
Part way up the long vertical trunk of this very tall tree, its branches nowhere within reach, was a small snail.
“Huh,” I thought, “that’s odd to see a snail climbing up a tree. I don’t think I’ve ever noticed a snail on a tree before. I usually find them on the ground or on low growing plants.”
Immediately the lesson hit me:
Just because no one’s done it, doesn’t mean it can’t be done. It’s at least worth a try.
Go slowly. Stick to it. Don’t stop. Keep climbing.
THEN, just as I was about to pass the tree, I noticed ANOTHER snail on the same tree trunk, to the right of the first snail and about 1 metre (3 feet) higher.
Lesson Part 2 (in two parts):
It’s easier to begin climbing if you have someone to show you how.
It’s easier to believe you can do it when someone’s already forged the way.
The next time you’re out for a trail walk, strolling the city streets, riding on transit or just out and about, tune in to the ‘now’, notice what you notice and let the a-ha’s unfold.
Be present to the presents in your presence.
Want to chat about how I can help you climb to the top of your tree?
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