The Art of Noticing

When was the last time you walked and noticed, I mean really took the time to look around at your surroundings? 

I have found myself doing that since the seasons have started turning from winter to spring here in Portland. It’s the subtle changes nature creates when transitioning. The seasons change on their own time and there is no sense of hurry. I was in the park today practicing yoga. When I centered myself, I closed my eyes and started to take in what was going on around me. I heard kids laughing, the wind blowing, and people talking. I was sitting in stillness while the world was moving around me. 

During the practice, I laid down on my mat. It gave me a chance to look up at the sky and watch the clouds form and move across the sky. I couldn’t remember the last time I stopped and watched the clouds. It brought back memories of a carefree childhood, laying in the grass and looking up at the clouds moving in the sky.

How do we become more mindful in the art of noticing? How can we pull away from technology and really start to see the natural world around us? 

The next time you are walking around, take the time to notice 5 new things, it can be objects, sounds, smells, or textures.  Write down what you saw, felt, smelled. After your walk, write about your experience and notice what came up.

Keep up this practice of mindfulness and pretty soon it will come naturally to slow down and notice what is around you.