Seeing Beauty in the Ordinary

Humans adapt quickly. That thing we wanted for months? It's here and no longer notable. The goal we thought would bring lasting joy? We were tricked again — it didn't. And that place where we spend a lot of time? Well, it's getting a bit boring.

Is there a place you visit frequently, whether a park, a store, or a library that seems a bit...ordinary?

Did it feel that way the first time? Likely not. No matter how dull something may seem or become, the first time experiencing it likely had some level of awe or interest.

As Rick Rubin shares in his book, The Creative Act:

"The world is constantly changing, so no matter how often we practice paying attention, there will always be something new to notice. It's up to us to find it."

I revisit the same set of parks every week with Leon. That could get old quickly, but it never does. Each time I try to bring freshness to what I'm seeing and how I'm experiencing it. And every time, I’m just grateful for its existence. But this past weekend I tried to take that freshness and appreciation to an even higher level with an exercise:

1. Think of a place you've visited countless times that now seems a little boring...
2. Now imagine you’ve been blind and have never seen anything your entire life.
3. Lastly, imagine (though it's impossibly hard to even try to put ourselves in the shoes of someone who's blind) what it would feel like to see the absolute beauty and incomprehensible wonder of the exact place that for you has become a bit boring.

If you've ever tried to describe a setting, sunset, or even a bouquet of flowers, you know how hard it is to put in words the beauty of everyday life. We're so, so lucky.

Bring this fresh perspective the next time you feel a twinge of, "Couldn't this be more exciting?" Yes, but our circumstances need not change, just a slight change in our perspective.