Isn’t it ironic that the art of noticing so often goes completely unnoticed?
While working as an elementary teacher, I was introduced to the deliberate act of noticing. I suppose I had previously thought of noticing as something that simply happened naturally. One particular year in staff development, we had a brief session on the importance of noticing and how simple observations could help our students feel seen, leading to a special connection between student and teacher. That school year, I began trying to notice my students more and communicate what I noticed. Statements such as, “I noticed you got your hair cut!” or “I noticed you worked extra hard on this assignment!” or even, “I noticed you offered to share your new crayons.” These simple statements were met with either a large grin, showing me the student felt good about being noticed, or sometimes with a look of bewilderment, showing me the child was shocked that they had actually been noticed.
This act of noticing didn’t require much on my part. It wasn’t complicated or time-consuming. What it did require, however, was being intentional in my observation. If you’ve ever visited an elementary classroom, I’m sure you were aware of how much is going on… all the time! As the teacher, it was easy to simply focus on what all needed to be done and the management that was required by me to make sure it all got done! Being able to notice something about my students took effort on my part. I had to slow down, watch, and observe. I learned that noticing requires a tremendous amount of intentionality.
I have since left the classroom, and yet I have tried to apply this lesson that I, the teacher, learned about the art of noticing in other areas of my life. I know it communicates encouragement when I can tell my sons that I noticed something positive about them or a positive choice they had made. The same is true of my husband. I know it makes him feel valued when I simply notice how hard he worked at something or acknowledge how he served our family.
Unfortunately, our minds are programmed to notice negativity much more than positivity. I don’t have to work at all to call my family out on what they are doing WRONG, but I do have to work at telling them what I notice that is GOOD! I wish I weren’t that way, but I am. All I know to do is continue to work at getting better at this and ask God to help me see things that I might easily overlook.
In recent years, I have begun to be more intentional in noticing the beauty of my surroundings. Again, this requires intentionality. It requires slowing down. I have learned to go outside and simply be still and notice all that God has created. I find great pleasure in listening to birdsong. The feel of a breeze on my face can lower my blood pressure by a couple of numbers, I’m sure! Every flower, tree, cloud, and critter shows the wonder of God’s creation. Through my noticing of God’s presence everywhere, I am the one who is encouraged! It draws me closer to Him. It causes me to dwell on who He is and to praise Him for His many wondrous works.
Ephesians 4:6 reminds us that there is "One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Notice how His hand is continually in and above all things!
I encourage you to try your hand at this art form…the art of noticing. Notice the positive in the people God has put in your life. Notice the beauty of His creation. Notice His continual goodness in your life.
I believe the Art of Noticing helps us to fulfill Romans 12:2. It helps us to not conform to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.