Leah's Share: The art of noticing

From Leah: This is another piece that I read a few weeks ago and keep returning to. It is quite a short article, but a meaningful one. The concept sounds obvious at first, of course nobody sees the world for what it is, but I think to keep this in mind is the real challenge.

The article has one paragraph that especially stands out; "Kind people tend to believe others mean well because that’s how they move through the world themselves. Suspicious people find betrayal in small things because they expect it. What we notice, what we interpret, is always colored by who we are at that moment."

This raises the fascinating question of "how can I view the world more objectively". The question of interpretation shouldn't hinge on whether I am angry, content, or any other possible emotion. That is not fair to the people around me and surely not fair to myself to view the world in a negative light simply because I am upset.

But then again, sometimes it is perception that makes the world beautiful.

Someone who loves birds will notice the interesting birds because they are looking for them. Someone who loves rocks will inevitably find interesting rocks because they are looking for them. Someone who is kind will find kindness around them. So perhaps the focus should be both on seeing the world as it is while also becoming the kind of person who sees the world in the best light. Because sure, sometimes people are mean and dismissive and a plethora of other negative traits, and to overlook that is a dangerous willful ignorance. But most people are not bad for the sake of being bad, and as a whole most people are quite beautiful and kind. If only we have the courage to look at them in that light.

https://theebookclubx.substack.com/p/the-art-of-noticing

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