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“Notice What You Notice!”
By Cornelia Powell | April 18, 2009
Poet Allan Ginsburg wrote, “Notice what you notice!” Reading that immediately makes me pause, pay attention, become more aware. Like a call to be inwardly and outwardly aware at the same time.
Professional photographer Jacquelyn Schechter of Mindful Photography interprets Ginsburg like this: “He was calling us to be mindful of our surroundings by embracing a nonjudgmental and calm awareness. By quieting the mind in this way, time seems to stand still, our tasks feel effortless, and we become less self-absorbed.”
Whether you are taking a photograph, caring for your children or an elderly parent, going on a hike, interviewing for a new job, or planning a wedding — notice what you are noticing. Be your own keen witness to what’s really happening; not the story in your head or how a mood or opinion may slant things. (Is this really true, or did I just make that up?) Pay attention: Does your body feel tense? Then what you’re seeing, doing, or thinking may just be “tense” as well.
“When photographing,” Jacquelyn teaches, “being mindful is a way to develop the subtle skill of ’seeing’ that is very different from looking. When we shoot from a calm, centered place, the resulting photos have a different quality to them.” Is that not true of any aspect of life? Seeing the world through the eyes of calm awareness allows our “best self” to be present…and gives us room to respond with grace, forgiveness, and love. Life, indeed, has a different quality now!
Jacquelyn coaches her students in a similar way that I coach brides or anyone who wants beautiful, heart-full results. Slow down, put attention on your breathing, relax, and focus inside as you breathe. Put attention on what lights you up, then follow that light!
When Jacquelyn tells her students to “pick up your camera,” she could be saying ‘pick up your life — pick up your awareness’ because she then instructs them to “walk, see, hear, and breathe. Turn the internal volume way down. ‘Notice what you notice.’ Trust those urges that come from your gut rather than your head. Edit later.”
This is the time of year when Mother Nature calls us to attention…and a great time to practice noticing all the subtle changes that just may become profound! As the French 19th-early 20th century writer Colette reminds us: “One notices that a flower that was in bud only yesterday has suddenly blossomed.” Simply “notice what you notice” so you won’t miss life’s magic.
Topics: Inspiration, Stillness & Relaxation, Women's Notes |