A couple of good friends invited me to attend one of those intensive self-awareness, self-improvement programs a year or so ago. They had gone and said their lives were changed for the better. I was intrigued, so I went. I learned something about me and what I notice around me. By definition, writers are observers of life who leave written records of what they observe. As a writer I’ve often been amused by what I see. But it wasn’t until I attended that self-improvement program that I began to notice what I notice.
For instance, I notice vanity license plates and try to decipher what the owner is trying to tell the world about themselves. I know people pay extra for those plates, so I’m quite sure they use them to make some sort of statement. But I must admit some of their messages escape me.
I notice bumper stickers. Some show defiance for society, some show pride in work (as in being a union member), and some show which political candidate the car owner supports. I saw one the other day that said, “Proud parent of a (school’s name) honor student.” At first glance it appears this is a benign bumper sticker. But as I thought more about it, I wondered if every parent should have a bumper sticker that simply says, “Proud parent.” That would show our children that we love them and are proud of them simply because they exist instead of because they’ve done something we can be proud of. I don’t think that undermines the human spirit’s desire to do things. It just allows us acceptance for being rather than for doing.
Another thing I notice is how poorly we speak the English language. In fact, we’re so bad at it that the powers that be eventually incorporate our errors into acceptability because it’s easier than correcting us. People who earn their living talking (news anchors, radio personalities, even professional speakers) constantly use the word “hopefully” wrong. They say things like “Hopefully there won’t be any blizzards this winter.” or “Hopefully, gas prices will go down.”
Hopefully means “in a hopeful manner.” I can be hopeful. You can be hopeful. But in the example sentences, who’s hopeful? I know I’m being picky about this, but it’s so blatant that when I do hear someone correctly say something like, “I am hopeful there won’t be any blizzards this winter.” or “We are hopeful gas prices will go down.” I get excited.
I also notice people make up words. The primary one that comes to mind is irregardless. We’ve heard it so much that I suspect it will be in a dictionary one day soon, much as “ain’t” made it into Webster’s a few years back.
I notice I’m getting older. I’m having a harder time finding music I like on the radio than I used to. I also have a few more aches and pains than in years past. I also have more confidence in me and my abilities, less stress from peers about fitting, and more autonomy than I did when my children weren’t adults.
I notice that my husband, who never notices the garbage needs to be taken out, notices every deer on the horizon at dusk when we’re out driving.
What do you notice? When you first meet someone do you notice their eyes? their hair? their body style? their clothes?
When you enter someone’s home what do you notice? their furniture? their carpet? their clutter? I know one woman who makes it a point to use the bathroom because that’s the one place she can be alone to inspect cleanliness.
When you see your loved ones what do you notice? Do you notice how wonderful they are or do you notice things you want them to improve such as posture, hairstyle, or mannerisms? One of the comments my mother often made to me was to close my mouth. Apparently I had a habit of keeping my mouth open when I was deep in thought and she consistently jarred me back to the present by telling me to close my mouth.
What do you notice about yourself? Do you notice your flaws or your strengths? Do you congratulate yourself on your good points or ignore them while beating yourself up for your detriments? I am hopeful you’ll spend the rest of your life noticing the positive. I am hopeful you’ll see the humor all around you. I am hopeful you’ll be at peace with your God. And I am hopeful you will take care of you so you have the strength to be there for others when they need you.
I’ve just noticed I’m out of space for this week so I better go. Notice what YOU notice and you may learn more about yourself than you want to know.
Sharron Stockhausen is an author, consultant, coach, educator, and speaker. She owns Stockhausen Ink and is CEO of Expert Publishing, Inc. Visit her company websites at www.stockink.com and www.expertpublishinginc.com.