“What we do see depends mainly on what we look for. … In the same field the farmer will notice the crop, the geologists the fossils, botanists the flowers, artists the colouring, sportmen the cover for the game. Though we may all look at the same things, it does not all follow that we should see them.”
― John Lubbock, The Beauties of Nature and the Wonders of the World We Live in
“Every discovery in science and art, is due to the trained power of seeing things … Keep your eyes open, your ears open … Trace difficulties.”
― Orison Swett Marden
(grey squirrel, Julie Cook / 2014)
Two people, walking along together in a park, will not “see” the same things.
Rarely will they notice the same flowers, the same trees, the same passerbys or the same animals.
Each of these individuals will be looking, or not looking, based on two separate distinct personalities and interests, as well as their individual levels and abilities for observation.
The ability to “see” and notice will also depend on the concentration of walking and / or the depth of conversation. In order to capture and process surrounding nuances, it would be best if one possessed a clear mind, an uplifted spirit and refreshed energies while holding ones vision upward and outward rather than narrowed and downcast.
The comedy and drama of Life is in a constant flux of motion, playing out for a World to notice or not. Some individuals seem more geared towards, or pre-programed for, absorbing what is randomly played out before one’s eyes.
“Did you see that?”
“See what?”
And whereas this micro-drama of life may filter into one person’s eyes and pass to the brain, simply to be filed away, never being reviewed—for another individual, that same absorption is played and replayed, rolled around, savored, reviewed, digested, analyzed and chewed upon with loving rumination.
The real seasoning and salt of living.
“And why in the world should any of that matter and who cares as to what two different people see and observe, or not see and observe while out for a simple walk?” you snort.
Oh it matters to the utmost, if it is you who is the one out doing the walking.
The question begs, what are you missing?
cookiecrumbstoliveby 
I love your post Julie! Even if two people see the same thing, they can interpret it differently and most of the time they do. I hope you got some of the rain we got this evening. It has been raining non stop since 4:00 and heavy rain too! big hugs – Michael 🙂
can you believe that I waited all day for the rains of which were said to come marching our way—not a drop, not a single drop hit in this area—can you believe that?!
But at least the temps and low humidity is a most delightful change!!!
Time to move on Michael—I’ll salvage what I can and turn my attentions to cooking and putting away a slew of tomato sauce 😉
Homemade tomato sauce sounds great, you should post pictures of making your sauce! 🙂
You are very right. Apparently being an observant looker is not something everyone is. My friends have always told me that I see things they never think to look at. But I can’t imagine not seeing them. Nice post and insightful post. Love, N 🙂
You are observant as well as insightful—both outward and inward—a wonderful gift 🙂
Why thank you, missy! What a lovely compliment. I think you are both as well! 🙂