This past week, I had a beautiful conversation with a fellow yogi who drew my attention to the word, “Notice”. He spoke about the power of this word and how, when he first started practicing, he didn’t realize how much he was missing. After deepening his practice he started to notice so much more. My eyes lit up as I expressed how the same thing happened to me. The world didn’t really change, I shared with him, it was how I saw it. The attention I gave to life had expanded and altered for the better as my practice grew. As I learned to slow my breath and body down through yoga, it was like someone pressed the pause button on life.
We joked about how ignorance really is bliss and then went our separate ways, but what he said really stuck with me. Ever since then, I’ve spent my last week deliberately trying to notice more.
I’ve noticed small moments of intense beauty. Like a father and daughter walking hand in hand down Yonge Street, and the look of shock on her sweet, little face when she saw a tiny, fallen bumble bee on the sidewalk. Something so small, an adult like me might not have seen it. But no, this little girl noticed it.
I’ve noticed even more of my habits. My tendencies towards certain things, and it’s not always pretty. There are things in my life that need changing and not noticing them isn’t going to make the situation any better.
I’ve noticed people more. I’ve become even more aware of the friendships in my life and how they keep me alive. I’ve noticed the beauty of my family and the support they give me. I’ve noticed the amazing types of people I pass everyday on the streets of Toronto, their diversity, their conversations, their subtle facial expressions and body language when they think nobody is watching.
All this to say, I’d like to suggest something. The next time you lay out your mat to practice yoga, or go for a walk, or meet up with a friend for coffee, let your main task be noticing. Try letting go of the need to conquer your yoga practice. Try letting go of the need to walk fast and get where you’re going. Resist the urge to talk over your friend as they share their life. Instead, simply notice. Soak up the moment and see what is really there, not what you think or assume will be there.
Like my friend and fellow yogi said, “Notice. It’s such a small but powerful word”. Open your eyes and see the beauty, the pain, the miracles that were always there. Practice and all is coming. Notice, and realize everything was already there.
(This post is dedicated to Fred. Your insight is an amazing gift I am so grateful for)
