I pride myself on being a pretty observant guy. I don't see the way an artist sees, perhaps, but I guess, not being a visual artist, I can't really know that. What I mean by "being observant" is that I pay attention. Though my wife might dispute this, most of the time I listen carefully (and not just because of me degraded hearing), and I see things pretty quickly and acutely.
Of course, we all probably think we're pretty observant, so much as I might toot my own horn about awareness, others might see it differently--both literally and figuratively. My wife, as artist by temperament and profession, probably has a more acute sense of design than I do, but when it comes to spotting a navigation buoy when we are out sailing, I can out-see her every time. And though I am a musician, she can out-hear me on more occasions than I wish to admit (hearing loss being what it is). The thing is, all awareness is pretty subjective and in the eye of the beholder, so to speak.
I think the times when I become most observant are when I become aware that I am not being terribly observant. It is only then that I switch gears and actively pay attention. It grows from the act of becoming fully present, in the moment, and taking the time to be fully engaged with my experience. It is then that I am seeing, hearing, thinking and feeling most fully and most intently. And it is then that I am most fully engaged with my spirit.
So, how observant are you? Ever notice the picture that accompanies this blog? The one to the right with the bird(s)?
Of course, we all probably think we're pretty observant, so much as I might toot my own horn about awareness, others might see it differently--both literally and figuratively. My wife, as artist by temperament and profession, probably has a more acute sense of design than I do, but when it comes to spotting a navigation buoy when we are out sailing, I can out-see her every time. And though I am a musician, she can out-hear me on more occasions than I wish to admit (hearing loss being what it is). The thing is, all awareness is pretty subjective and in the eye of the beholder, so to speak.
I think the times when I become most observant are when I become aware that I am not being terribly observant. It is only then that I switch gears and actively pay attention. It grows from the act of becoming fully present, in the moment, and taking the time to be fully engaged with my experience. It is then that I am seeing, hearing, thinking and feeling most fully and most intently. And it is then that I am most fully engaged with my spirit.
So, how observant are you? Ever notice the picture that accompanies this blog? The one to the right with the bird(s)?
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