kestrelcreek.com

View Original

Repetition connects us to our surroundings

The view midway on the walk to the mail box that Mary and I have repeated countless times.

How does repetition in our daily lives offer deeper connections to our surroundings?

Repetition is the play between the familiar and the evolving. It may seem mundane or opulent, but under the surface lies profound understanding and connection.

The Layers Beneath the Familiar

Events and places expose themselves a layer at a time by consistent repetition or revisitation. The first visit may offer a broad panorama, but subsequent ones let us zoom into the intricate details.

Imagine rereading your favorite book. The storyline remains unchanged, but your point of view has shifted. You start noticing more details, hidden meanings, and slight foreshadowing.

The Power of Observation

Repetition enhances our observational skills. Each revisit or redo offers a fresh perspective, a fresh learning opportunity, and a new interpretation. Like our walks down Bartho Lane, while the path remained consistent, the seasons changed, animals varied their patterns, and even the wind whispered differently. The repeated journey trained the mind to observe these changes, finding novelty in the familiar.

Mindfulness and Presence

Engaging in repetition is a form of mindfulness meditation. The actions become so ingrained and automatic that our minds are free to wander, contemplate, and reflect. Yet, this wandering is rooted in the present, making us more attuned to our surroundings.

Gratitude and Appreciation

Consistent engagement lets us appreciate our surrounding's subtle beauty. Don't take for granted a beautiful sunset, the chirping of birds, or the rustling of leaves. Repetition makes them part of our daily lives, causing our gratitude to grow.

Repetition is a gentle teacher, emphasizing the interconnectedness of life. It offers lessons in patience, observation, appreciation, and the profound understanding that there's something new to discover every moment.

Have you ever repeated a journey, a read, or an experience and found yourself di