I understand how our hectic, multi-faceted lives can drive us into surface living. I understand how we can get stuck there - existing on fleeting thoughts, flash glimpses, overpowering sounds and shallow, one-sided talk. We walk around and above the wonders of life and sometimes, we help others if our paths cross, but only in a way that doesn't involve our hearts. Although we want more from our relationships, we don't give of ourselves enough to elicit the quality, intensity and depth of the love we desire.
You may ask then, how can we learn to stir up the good things, the best things in life and as a consequence, enrich our engagement with it to such a level that we can have a positive impact on the lives of others.
1. Don't just think - ruminate. When thoughts flash reach out or up (as the case may be) and grab hold of them. Jot them down. Try to understand them. Direct them and select the best ones for further consideration, exploration and action. Ruminating allows us to develop a fleeting thought into something that will slow down our harried days, lighten our heavy responsibilities, manage our commitments efficiently, soothe our anxious souls and make someone's life a little better somehow.
2. Don't just notice - look, observe. In rushing back and forth, we only notice events, people and life's common and uncommon circumstances. If we are honest, we will admit that we are only flying past many of life's significant moments � catching them in a flash. We notice them just briefly, with no acknowledgement, understanding, appreciation or gratitude. We should make an effort to look for those moments, those hints of joy, beauty, wonder and lesson. Additionally, we should linger long enough to observe how they weave their way through the fabric of our lives.
3. Don't just hear - listen. The din of daily life is fierce � beginning at dawn and rising to a deafening climax, as we hurry through our duties to catch some sleep before the next day's noise begins. It is true that much of the noise is the obvious and necessary consequence of modern living. Unfortunately, we have become so accustomed that we don't realize that it drowns the sounds that were created and designed to soothe, please and excite. If we want to tap into those lovely sounds, we can't just hope that they will reach us. We have to listen for them and listen ever so intently. Moreover, when we hear their delicate, profound and provoking sounds, we must savour them. We must let them do their work of enlightening us, soothing us and inspiring us to love, to be grateful and to be compassionate.
4. Don't just talk - converse. We've heard this, "Talk is cheap". However, conversing is costly. In fact, it is priceless. The give and take of open and honest conversation, highlighted with genuine interest and tinged with courtesy, has the potential to inform and encourage in spite of ingrained prejudice and hard-core differences. When we blather on with no thought of other people's views, preferences and opinions and with no desire to understand and learn from others, we lose the rich experience and exchange in truly conversing.
Because our lives can be busy, complex and complicated, we may settle into just living on the surface. But that's not good enough. It's not rich enough. It's not full enough. It's not deep enough. Let's improve how we live. Let's enrich our lives. Let's deepen our lives. Let's live in a way that inspires others. Let's ruminate, look, listen and converse.
