My Wooden Frog

He spends most of his existence sitting atop my computer tower. Not really a frog but a percussion instrument given to me by a dear friend hoping to promote what small musical talents that might be lurking within.

I have played him (her, it?) a few times since seeing the movie Touch The Sound the story of a deaf solo percussionist who hears the drums through her body.

The day after, I listened to CBC Radio while preparing breakfast and heard a story about two artists who are colorists (really into the fine points of color). Finely in tune with the small differences in color.

This started me along a line of thought which brought me to one of my favorite artists Andy Goldsworthy. The three of them have in common that they look (feel, hear, taste or whatever) very closely their worlds... their environments. How many of us in our daily lives can say we do much of that? How much smelling of the flowers have you done this week?

I think many would agree that we should be more sensitive to the world around us, if you have a nose... smell, if your eyes work... see, if you can taste… lick, if you still hear… listen, absorb, pay attention, anticipate. I am all for this and try in my own way to achieve this state. But I have to wonder that if you stop to smell all the flowers… would you ever get beyond the garden gate?

Our society values accomplishments, I do too. My day seems better if I have done things, built something, cooked a meal, checked things off my list but is the world… our society any better off for it? One strategy is to put some of the flower smelling and taking the time to greet old friends when you see them as line items on our lists.

I always know that Koyaanisqatsi (Life out of balance) is happening when I see an old friend or acquaintansce in the food store and first think of how to avoid them rather then how to engage them! Does this ever happen to you?