Look closely
You might be surprised by what you see
I make a habit of walking without headphones or looking at my cellphone — except when I see a sight I want to record — like the one above. I believe that I need to be fully engaged in nature, using all my senses to experience, not just pass through. Spider webs are easy to miss if you aren’t careful, and they are magical creations, so delicate yet strong.
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Geese are easy to miss if you are plugged in to music as you walk and fail to look up. If you don’t hear them you will not see them flying in formation over head. Frogs also are easy to miss. You may not see them hiding in the grass, but if you have your ears open you will still hear the chorus or solos.
I have had numerous times when I would have missed seeing a blue heron up in the tree or down on the water if I had my ears blocked by music and had not heard their squawk. I love music, but for my walking and hiking time I want to hear nature’s tunes.
All too often our ears are either tuned out to real life around us, or assaulted by the news and chatter about things that bring us down. I am always uplifted by nature’s music, even if it is just the wind whistling through the trees, or the pitter patter of rain on the sidewalk (r your hood).
To channel Timothy Leary’s famous quote — “Tune in, turn on, drop out” I would urge you to drop out of the chatter of news and debate and start listening to nature, let it turn you on, and change your perspective on life.
Thanks:)
