There’s a reservoir nearby where I like to walk in the morning. It’s approximately 1.8 miles around and is usually populated by mothers pushing strollers, joggers, and those of us in the post-career phase of life.
Many smile and say good morning, while others are fully engaged in conversations, either on their phones or with the person they’re walking with. It’s a congenial place, where it’s common to see hawks or eagles flying overhead, turtles hanging out on rocks, and assorted birds and small animals trying to figure out their next meal.
I tend to walk alone, sometimes in silence, sometimes listening to music or an audiobook. As autumn takes hold, the ground is strewn with fallen leaves and pine needles. But today, as I made my way along the path next to the water, I noticed something unexpected.
Someone had placed or dropped a small smile sticker. My initial reaction was perplexed, as in, “What is that doing there?” This was quickly followed by a smile and a thought:
“It’s amazing what you see when you notice things.”
While it is clearly ‘just’ a mundane little sticker, it seemed like a reminder to notice more and to be open to what is around me. After all, isn’t that one of the blessings and opportunities of life in this chapter?
What do you think?
