What are you noticing?

I met with my good friend Warren Williams today and one of the things we talked about was the act of noticing. As I drove home, I started to ponder…. 

I often mention awareness in the context of Amatsu – the awareness of all the subtle messages that our body is transmitting to us if we  listen, such as how a certain food makes us feel, the sensation of thirst or a nagging ache that won’t resolve, etc.  

Awareness and noticing go hand in hand, but to me there is a difference. I feel as though awareness is broad, open, a constant but relaxed listening with all of our senses. When honed, it could even be our sixth sense. 

Noticing somehow feels more active, more focused and more part of our will to engage with the world around us. When we are noticing, we spot changes in the way a person behaves that might suggest a mood shift, we realise that someone has gone to a special effort on our behalf, we see the gradual seasonal changes as they happen. In noticing, we are so much more mentally alive than when we are going through the motions so we see opportunities when they arise. 

We can become also more grateful and more appreciative. In particular, when we notice what the people around us do for us instead of taking it for granted we feel looked after and lucky. These might not even be people that are close to us – perhaps someone who sweeps our street or who lets us go ahead of them in a queue when we are running late. It’s these connections, large and small, that make our world more beautiful and joyful. 

Of course, noticing can also be a negative thing. If we find ourselves focusing on problems and finding fault we will find them everywhere! Try to draw yourself back from internal criticism and judgments and let your noticing be more uplifting, more curious and interested. It makes your mind a much nicer place to be!

So this week, I’m opening my ears and eyes and noticing to see what treasures come my way.

Why not try it too and let me know how you get on!