“The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Art of Paying Attention

We were running late. My then three-year-old son was jumping and hopping around the driveway as I worked to wrangle the infant car seat with his sister in place.  He started pulling at my shirt. “Momma! Momma! Momma! Look at this!”

“I can’t, hold on.” I heard the click of the car seat and made sure it was secure. “C’mon, sweetheart. Get in the car. We’re running late.”

“But Mommy! Look!”

“Get in your car seat. We need to go now.” I reached for him, but he jumped away from me.

Frustration crept through me, and I had to fight against my impatience. I hadn’t slept well and was extremely tired. He was a hyper child and I wished I could bottle up his energy. I would take some of it and then sell it.  I’d make a fortune.

“What?” I force myself to calmly say. “What did you want me to see? What’s so important?”

“Look!”

He pointed to the small tree in the yard. I glanced at the tree and gasped. Right next to us the tree was completely encased with ice. At this angle, the sun was shining through the ice like prisms casting tiny rainbows.

“Ice and tiny rainbows.” He sang over and over. He took a bow as if he himself had created the masterpiece.

I stood looking at the tree. What a spectacular sight! I saw the intricate waves of ice on the branches and trunk of the tree. The sunlight filtered through it.

He grabbed my hand. “I thought you’d like it.”

“I do,” I said, “Thank you. I’m glad you pointed it out to me.”

He jumped in the car, and I got him buckled in safely. Soon, I backed out of the driveway. I realized in my rush I would have missed the moment of wonder right there in my very own yard.  I thanked him again and he sat there grinning at me.

Finding Fascination in the Familiar

I realized a lesson then and there. Wonderous moments were often all around us, but we tended to miss them in the hustle and bustle life requires. I decided to be more intentional and aware of the beauty and magic each day could give. It required a shift in my mindset.

Mundane activities often fill our time. These monotonous routines like laundry, cooking, cleaning, or commuting to work may make us feel as if these are ordinary, even boring moments. However, these moments offer the potential for wonder and amusement if we can act creatively. By shifting our perspective and embracing a sense of curiosity, we can transform these routine activities into opportunities for delight and enchantment.

Embracing Curiosity and Wonder

By infusing curiosity and wonder into our daily routine, we can elevate these moments from mundane to magical experiences.

I usually view daily tasks as burdensome obligations. I learned to change this perspective. Often, I’m surprised and rewarded.

For example, washing the dishes in the sink allowed my son and I to play with bubbles and see how they form. We made it into a science experiment: the soap and water created a film which keeps air in the center. This created the sphere shape.  

After the tree incident, I bought a prism and we played with light refraction with flashlights and sunlight. This created a sense of wonder and fun.

On outside walks, we learned to observe whatever is around us. He’d point out a spider building its web and I would see the rose in full bloom. We made it into a game.

I walked by an owl on one outing. If I hadn’t been paying attention, I wouldn’t have seen it.

If we use these activities as opportunities, we can learn to engage with the world around us. When we keep an open, inquisitive mind, we allow ourselves to be captivated by the intricacies and nuances that may have previously gone unnoticed. Life can be taken for granted if we aren’t mindful.

Cultivating Mindfulness in Everyday Actions

I’ve written much about mindfulness. I am all about it, going so far as to earning a mindfulness certificate.

Mindfulness plays a crucial role in uncovering the enchantment within routine activities. By being fully present and attentive to the task at hand, we open up to a world of sensory delights and discoveries.

Cooking stresses me out at times. But if I take deep breaths and slow down and savor what I am doing, I can notice the aromas, textures, and colors that accompany cooking a meal. I’m fascinated by light filtering through the trees during a walk. Or I can glance at the sunlight casting rays through the clouds during a drive. By immersing ourselves in the present moment, we can unearth the extraordinary within the ordinary.

Engaging all your five senses is also an act of mindfulness. It can amplify the environment. Tune into the symphony of sounds that surround you, or relish the touch of items as you clean and organize your living space. By actively participating in and savoring these experiences, you may unlock a world of wonder that may have previously eluded you.

Transforming Monotony into Magic

Embrace the opportunity to infuse creativity and imagination into daily tasks. Consider how you can make each activity more enjoyable.

I learned I could listen to an audiobook or soundtrack during a long drive in the car. It made the commute much more enjoyable and enhanced my listening skills. I will watch my favorite movie or TV show while folding laundry.

I often research and find new recipes to experiment with in the kitchen. I listen to music or set up an audiobook while cleaning an area. Some people can turn cleaning into a meditative practice. We can learn to create and enhance our experiences.

Embracing the Extraordinary in the Everyday

In a world filled with constant motion and distractions, it’s easy to overlook the enchantment that lies within our everyday activities. Even so, we can learn how to foster our curiosity, mindfulness, and creativity to create opportunities.  Routine tasks can be transformed into moments of wonder and joy.

It is possible to uncover moments of wonder simply by paying more attention to the world around us.  Embracing this perspective can bring a sense of joy and fulfillment to even the most ordinary of days, ultimately enriching our daily lives. We find gratitude and an appreciation for life. Each day is brimming with opportunities for awe and fascination.

Let’s embark on this journey of discovery and find the extraordinary within the ordinary.  We can make every moment a celebration of the wondrous world around us.

“Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.”

B.B. White

What activity could you do to relieve a monotonous activity?

When/where have you seen wonder in the ordinary?

How can you slow down and observe more wonder in your life?

Take a minute and use the five senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell.

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