Have you ever stopped mid-stride just because the light hit a dewdrop on a leaf in a way that looked like a tiny, fallen star? That is the magic Mary Oliver is talking about. To pay attention is to truly witness the world around us, rather than just passing through it like a ghost. It is a gentle invitation to wake up our senses and realize that life isn't just happening to us, but is unfolding beautifully right in front of our eyes, waiting to be noticed.
In our busy, modern lives, it is so easy to get lost in the digital fog of notifications and endless to-do lists. We spend so much time looking down at our screens that we forget to look up at the sky. We become experts at multitasking, but we lose our ability to be present. When we stop paying attention, we miss the subtle shifts in the seasons and the quiet miracles that occur in the small, mundane moments of our day. We miss the chance to be truly astonished by the simple fact that we are alive.
I remember a Tuesday a few weeks ago when I was feeling particularly overwhelmed by a pile of laundry and a long list of errands. I was rushing through the garden, my mind spinning with worries, when I saw a tiny ladybug navigating the edge of a petal. It was working so hard, moving with such singular purpose. I froze. For a few minutes, the laundry didn't matter. I just watched that little creature. That moment of astonishment shifted my entire mood, turning a stressful afternoon into a moment of peace. I felt a sudden urge to tell my friend about it later, to share that tiny spark of wonder.
That is the third part of the instruction: tell about it. When we share our wonders, we weave a web of connection with others. By speaking about the beauty we find, we give others permission to look up and notice it, too. It turns a solitary experience into a shared celebration of existence. Whether it is a beautiful sunset, a kind word from a stranger, or a particularly delicious cup of tea, sharing these fragments of awe makes our lives feel much richer.
Today, I want to encourage you to take a tiny pause. As you go about your day, try to find one thing that makes you stop and wonder. Don't let it pass you by unnoticed. Once you find it, hold onto that feeling, and if you can, share that light with someone else. The world is waiting to be seen by you.