To see a world in a grain of sand
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour.
That’s William Blake. He noticed things.
We can too.
Recently, driving in a car with a child, we came up with the idea to notice everything red. It became a little game, not necessarily competitive, but a reason to look, to notice, to identify. We were both delighted with how many things we found, large and small. After awhile we did the same with things green, later yellow, then blue. Each category became special, our eyes were momentarily more opened, and perhaps the effect was lasting. Eyes, once opened, see more.
That’s basically what this blog is about. It’s noticing things, bringing out bits that may have been hidden, or not so hidden, just missed. Life’s material is so abundant it can overwhelm, we can overlook the nuance. How much blue is in the world with all that sky? But then it’s not always blue. And the ocean? What color is water really?
So, better to take longer looks. That’s what I’m doing here, noticing things, looking at them slightly longer, perhaps in different light, and sharing them with you.
Because sharing is part of it. Who can look at a sunset without wanting to experience it with another? Or encountering something unique, want to say, “Hey, look!”
I try to keep these short, knowing your days. A few upcoming topics include:
A Dash of Color (in the visual and in realms beyond)
A Funny Thing about Creativity (a way to strengthen such thinking)
The Lifetime Achievement Award (something for each of us)
About Consciousness (the mystery of our being)
Death and Life (with death coming first)
How to Evaluate Art (art being metaphor for everything else)
And on, and on, and on.
Then, there are other topics, like the now-and-then motivators on how to get going again. Back posts reveal many such; there will be more.
Sometimes there’s just something funny, because that’s important too.
As always, comments are welcome. They often round out the picture. And this is a community of friends.
Meantime, notice things, and tell me what you see. Your life will be bigger for it. And so will mine.
Hope to see you regularly on these posts.
Hyatt
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
4:23 pm
Looking forward to it!
5:12 pm
This post especially resonates with me in terms of my personal conviction re the importance of paying attention, taking time to notice, watching carefully. But also because of how it relates right now to the fact that I’ve had the privilege the past several days of moving in with my daughter and son-in-law for a week to help with their brand new baby girl and my first grandchild. Among the changes that occur every day, in both the babe and the parents, I’ve been watching Edie learn about how her eyes work. They are closed much of the time because of sleeping, of course, but when she wakes up and opens them she seems alert and curious and maybe even amazed all over again about looking around at the light, the dark, the patterns, and now all of a sudden, a human face. Mine, when it’s me gazing at her. This is so different than just a few days ago when she didn’t even know how to open them without squinting and darting them around a few times before giving up and clamping them shut again. I’m glad I got to be here to notice this particular of the various infant developments that happen in such rapid succession, and I refuse to think about the ones I am going to miss when I go home. Whenever I come back, though, I know i will be alert and curious and definitely amazed at what I see.
7:12 pm
Alison, Perfect. Noticing at the earliest moments.
10:47 pm
Hey, linger. Your post reminds me of something that I’ve been aware of lately and that is to linger just a little when someone is conversing with me. It is amazing how others will open up when we are actually willing to give a little time and willingness to pay attention to them.
7:59 am
Absolutely. It’s a gift easy to give, and both parties receive. “Linger longer,” beautiful.
8:20 am
I’ve been inspired! Looking all around with fresh eyes for color and detail. I love what Alison said above about the new baby….it is so wonderful to watch new life discover the world around them.
I’m going to mix some colors for my painting straight from nature’s pallet. Thanks, once again Hyatt for inspiring us!
1:22 am
Hi Hyatt.
Your sister dropped my my blog the other day and directed me here. We seem to be on a similar wavelength this week with our posts! What we look for we find! I’ve had a month of experimenting with this in taking heart photos in whatever form they come. Thanks for your musings. Love your thoughts. Jade
3:40 pm
What an inspiring post, Hyatt! I am convicted….how it must hurt God’s feelings when He knocks Himself out making something amazing and I just give it a cursory glance–as if it was one dimensional and beige!! This will be my summer to slow down!!
3:11 am
Looking forward to the upcoming string Hyatt – very counter culture..longer looks…notice more…expect these will be good for the soul and all else!
By the way, thoroughly enjoyed the “Father’s Day” and “Hanging in There..” blogs!