All The Life We Cannot See

How much did you miss seeing today? Perhaps you were looking at your phone. Or driving and talking. Or running errands and talking.

We seem to be on our phones a lot. I know I can be. I have all my work emails and texts and work apps on there. So there is no 9-5 anymore. I also have social media and texts from friends, etc. And I know you do, too.

We seem to always be easily distracted now. Or bored.  I never see people just reading a book or chatting while waiting for their flight. Or just sitting enjoying that warm cup of coffee or tea. Literally everyone is just on their phone.

I know. Maybe they are reading a book on their phone or doing work or reading the news. But do we really need this 24/7? I even see people at the hospital visiting sick loved ones who are constantly looking at their phones. It is so common now that we don't even notice we are doing it. The patient was doing it too!

So, I ask you, what did you miss today?

You most likely didn't miss the latest notifications from Twitter or Facebook or Instagram. You didn't miss the latest viral video or Snapchat.  You know all the headlines.

But what did the sky look like today. I know your weather app said rain. But was there a rainbow? Did the clouds part suddenly and allow a beautiful clear sky to shine through? Were there bright puddles with reflections. Were kids jumping in them.

Did you see that cute puppy? No, not the one on your phone. The one you just passed while you were on the phone. The one that stopped to look at you or get a pat on the head. But you just walked on by.

Did you see the look on that woman's face? You know, the one ringing you up and the one bagging your groceries as you ignore them while talking on your phone. You never even looked up.

The flowers are in bloom now. The lilacs. Have you stopped to smell them? It is like a bit of heaven.

Did you see the elderly man sitting on the bench? The one sitting quietly, holding his cane with two hands, looking down. Did you see the look of anguish on his face? You know, his wife died last year. And he is in pain. But no one even glances his way. Or says hello. What a lonely existence we all have when there is so much to share.

If only we would stop and look.  Just stop and really see. Smell the air. Feel the breeze. Smile at someone. Say hello. Pet the dog walking by. Noticing people.  Acknowledging them. Thanking them for holding that door.  Or bagging your things.

What did your daughter look like today? Was she smiling and funny? Was your son sad? Did you notice the haggard look on your husband or wife's face when they got home from work? Did you hug anyone today? Did you share a laugh with a co-worker? Did you see the plants rising up through the dirt in the garden? Did you notice the new floral display at the grocery store? You know, the one you ran past. Someone stayed extra hours yesterday to make it beautiful for you to see. Did you see her? She was standing right there as you bustled by.

I have been asking myself these questions lately. A lot. I miss things, too. But not anymore. I am making a real effort to really see things. See the beauty. The nuances. The ugly. The sad. The happy.
It makes my life better. I leave my phone in my purse. Or at home when I go on a walk now. There is nothing that cannot wait. Remember when there were no cellphones? No answering machines? No internet? I saw more then. Real life. Right in front of me.

It's in front of you, too. Don't miss it. (You may be reading this on your phone or tablet. But put it down now and look around. Really see)

"The key to nature's therapy is feeling like a tiny part of it, not a master over it. There's amazing pride in seeing a bee land on a flower you planted-but that's not your act of creation, it's your act of joining in." ~ Victoria Coren Mitchell

"You can become blind by seeing each day as a similar one. Each day is a different one, each day brings a miracle of its own. It's just a matter of paying attention to this miracle." ~ Paul Coelho

"I love walking down the street and seeing faces and drama and happiness and sadness and dirt and cleanliness." ~ Rick Ocasek

"The world is the true classroom. The most rewarding and important type of learning is through experience, seeing something with our own eyes." ~ Jack Hanna

"When was the last time you spent a quiet moment just doing nothing ~ just sitting and looking at the sea, or watching the wind blowing the tree limbs, or waves rippling on a pond, a flickering candle or children playing in the park?" ~ Ralph Marston

Life is short. Don't miss it.