19 Aug Seeing the Signs
I was driving into work early this morning when I was following a car that had “You’re Loved” and a big heart written in huge letters on the back window. Now maybe somebody wrote that on the person’s window because that person needed to know that they are loved. But maybe the person driving that car wrote it on there so that I (or anyone else that saw the sign) know that I am loved. In any case, it worked. Just by seeing the sign, it made my morning a bit brighter.
How often do we take time to pay attention and ‘see the signs?’ How often do we let the secluded miracles go unnoticed or unrecognized? How often do we not notice or appreciate a kind gesture from a friend or stranger?
We live in a world bombarded by sensory input and a million messages. How do we filter out the messages that are truly important versus the ones that are merely trying to sell us something, or shape our belief-system into what is ‘normal?’ How do we find those things that we are really searching for, instead of being ‘fed’ something that someone else wants us to have?
Here are a few suggestions for noticing the signs in our lives, managing sensory input, and attracting the things that will make our lives and the lives around us better:
- What we focus on expands– Whatever we focus on expands. If we’re looking for love, miracles, knowledge, etc., and we focus on those things, they will come into our lives. If we’re focused on the negative in our lives, we’ll attract more of it, and it will seem bigger than it really is as well.
- Eat, then digest– Many times, especially on planes, I see people devouring books, but how many times do we see people silently contemplating what they’ve read, and what it means to them personally in their lives? ‘Eating’ is important, but the actual nourishment comes from the digesting, and assimilating it into our lives.
- Stay aware at all times– I’m all for daydreaming, but becoming aware of everything around you at all times is an incredibly important tool. Riding my motorcycle on a busy freeway is probably one of the best exercises in awareness, as you have to stay constantly aware of your surroundings. If we’re able to cultivate this habit in our daily lives, our lives will become much richer, and each moment will be fuller.
- Reduce the noise– It is important to make sure we take time for solitude and silence. We also have some choice in what we choose to see & hear, especially when it comes to TV, radio, and internet. Make a conscious decision to reduce the noise that comes into your life, and make sure that what you do allow is a conscious choice that edifies you and aligns with the direction you wish you go.
- Detachment- When we attach opinions, emotions, and judgements about things, we immediately categorize them. If we can look at things without attachment, then we can see them for what they are. It also allows us to be more accepting of how others see and experience things.
Signs are all around us, if we take the time to notice them. They provide the subtle nudges to guide & direct us, where we may be of greatest value.