The Power of Noticing

Slow down and remember to notice. It's become too commonplace for me to hurry from one thing to another, whether mentally or physically. I have to be very conscious about noticing my surroundings. I imagine eventually that noticing will become habitual. Today still requires the effort. Today I put in that effort. 

I love visiting libraries. I can't quite put my finger on the feeling I get when I'm there. I think it's the feelings of solitude and calm that come being surrounded by so much amazing writing from authors past and present. Visiting a library also provides me an opportunity to experience the flavor of the local community, so I'll often visit regional historic libraries. I enjoy looking at the original architecture, imagining how things were with the bustle of people years ago when the building was in its original state. It's satisfying to get a sense of a town's qualities, like a fly on the wall. I can see the local patrons, notice how the library staff has arranged the spaces, become aware of what that place has deemed significant. For some reason I rarely take the time to pause and reflect in my own town's library. It's a very small library with a quiet section in the older, more distinctive part of the building. Today has been off-kilter, so this morning I took that time to sit and notice the book stacks; the wide, deeply stained wooden trim; the rare glimpse of sun peeking through the partial stained glass windows; the old fireplaces sitting unused.