More noticing
Most of us walk around, thinking we know what things around us are. We barely glance at the things we pass. More time is spent lost in thought than not. We fail to notice our experience. Too much of my life goes by unnoticed. What isn't notice can't be a source of gratitude.
This is a keystone skill that leads to other human skills like listening in a conversation, being present in the company of others, and being less forgetful.
It is the repetition of attention, and the ordinary noticing of the details of the day, that conspires to wake us up. Take a moment and notice how you are feeling at this moment. It seems a frivolous luxury be stopping to notice the small details of our day. But, think about it; we go through the day not even noticing how we feel. Sure the big things that force us to pay attention are the things we remember. If asked to describe our day, we'd say it was pretty good, or we were crazy active, insanely hectic, overly busy. But would that be 100% true? Day's are variable, and describing our day like this shortchanges a curious inspection of how things actually are.
To learn to navigate the sea of complexity, you need a sense of curiosity and the habit to notice the nature of things around you. You need to nurture the ability to learn new things. [^1]
Here are a few tips that are helping me get in the habit of noticing and might help you. [^2]
Notice the small things
The big things are easy to notice. They scream for attention. You can't help notice chest pain and your spouse yelling. Notice small, insignificant things like the warmth and tingling sensations arising from the back of your calves or the sound of rain on the roof as it impinges on your eardrum.
Commit to the challenge of noticing
To make this work you'd want two things, a time frame and a way of recording progress. Don't overthink this. Your commitment could be, "For one week, I'll take the time to notice two small things and put two check marks on the calendar." At the end of the week, see how you do. Don't judge. Notice how you feel.
Keep it simple
Don't try to be an Olympic Noticer on the first day. Start slow. Let the positive feedback loop develop naturally.
When you fail to notice and start again as if for the first time
Failing to notice is called lost in thought. When I notice I'm lost in thought, noticing brings my awareness back to the present immediately. I can begin noticing my experience, as if for the first time.
How can you be grateful unless you notice the objects of gratitude.
References
- Training in Uncertainty
https://zenhabits.net/uncertain/ - [^1]: https://zoia.org/2019/08/28/problem-solving-skills-for-the-future/
- [^2]: How to Develop Better Habits in 2020 https://ryanholiday.net/how-to-develop-better-habits-in-2020/