On your next walk, whenever that may be, I prompt you to calmly remove both headphones and listen to the scuffs against the pavement or soil. Listen to the conversation to your left (which is probably about money), and grasp onto any interaction that comes your way, whether it be with the skyscraper glistening in the lake when the wind whispers through, or the animal invading a little too much of your foot space, or simply a person trying to get through their day as best as they can. I assume we all share this common interest and have an idea of how to see it accomplished. Commit to engaging in your surroundings and allow the day to do the rest of the work.
It's all too easy to plug in our headphones, thinking we’re blocking out negative experiences, but we miss extraordinary happenings -- happenings that have the potential to share themselves with you, if you’re willing. Set a goal to get lost, go on an adventure, learn something new that excites you. We forget this lesson as we get older, but it’s an important one to remember. Without it, you’re not allowing anyone or anything the chance of opening your ability to discover, create or observe. Life can get tough; we have our bad moments just like we have good, but losing your eagerness is a shame.
This past Sunday I had finished all of my obligations and needed something to do the rest of the evening. I hadn’t spent much money in the week, so I felt I could splurge a little. I went out to find a new place uptown, which actually ended up being Taco Bell, which I hear is fresh cuisine. The sun in the sky and the warmth carrying me, I ventured, looking up, looking to my left, my right, and making an effort not to look down (something that's all too easy when Michael Bublé sneaks his way onto that shuffle). As the head of my dance program says, “If you ever walk into a room with no floor, we’ll give you your tuition back.” In response, I’m in the process of buying a shovel.
I’d never gone uptown through the park before; I was under the impression there was nothing past my sidewalk. I know I should have embarked sooner; upper Central Park is beautiful. Finding a bench to loiter on, I sat, noticing geese treading in the water, followed charmingly by elderly New Yorkers -- binoculars swathed around necks -- commenting on their newfound interest, “Oh yeah, I’m almost certain that’s a mallard!” That caused this Minnesotan-born child to lower his head and chuckle. All of this happened in a matter of five seconds, but gave way to a beginning, middle and end.
A middle-aged man strolls by me, joyful and absentminded to anything around him. Soon after I hear a women of around the same age having a conversation with this man. She glares at him and shouts, “No, keep walking, then let’s start the conversation!” Being directly in front of me, I covered my face as to avoid crossfire between this long-lasting relationship. She begins to smirk. He turns around, they both laugh, and walk away holding each other. I then start walking to Taco Bell as to hold the love of my life in my arms (just kidding, I’m determined to leave this school year with a mighty fine summer bod).
I was lucky enough to receive an evening of bountiful experiences made possible by just a little bit of effort. This influential experience granted me a broad smile, a higher skip to my step, and a changed perspective. All the while, my headphones remained bundled up safely on my dorm room desk, a choice made in order to claim all the gifts this world has to give.
