I hope you enjoy this reflect, read, watch, listen, and do digest. If you're new to TW5, welcome! To all of you who continue to engage, a big thank you. And to those keen to get TW5 every month, sign up here.

 

Happy New Year!

 

September is here, which always feels like the "real" new year. As an educator and parent, back-to-school season is all about fresh starts, new routines, and cozy clothes.

 

As we move through the hubbub of this month, I hope you can find time to notice. Whether big or small, obvious or hidden, paying attention to what's around us is an art form that can elevate our lives in surprising ways.  

 

Reddish orange and hot pink are my favourite colours, so when I see these vibrant flowers in my yard, I'm energized and in awe of nature's stunning beauty. So, go on, notice what's around you and let me know what you find!  

THE ART OF NOTICING: 131 WAYS TO SPARK CREATIVITY, FIND INSPIRATION, AND DISCOVER JOY IN THE EVERYDAY- Rob Walker  

 

This compact book is filled with 131 amazing ideas to help you notice more so you can be more creative and joyful. All the exercises, prompts, and games are things you can actually DO to build up your "paying attention" muscles. A great resource for the distracted busy bees like me who often forget to notice.  

 

WHAT HAPPENS IN YOUR BRAIN WHEN YOU PAY ATTENTION? - Mehdi Ordikhani-Seyedlar

 

In this 6-min TED talk, computational neuroscientist Mehdi Ordikhani-Seyedlar talks about what actually happens in our brain when we focus in and filter out what we see. It's not as simple as "just pay better attention" and it's fascinating to know that his work can help treat those who have difficulty noticing and processing information.

 

JONATHAN FIELDS - ATTENTION IS LIFE - Hurry Slowly Podcast with Jocelyn K. Glei

 

This episode focuses on cultivating “exquisite attention,” a finely tuned awareness that allows us to enhance our creativity, connection, and luck. Talking about “focused awareness” and “open presence” really helped me see how paying attention affects so much at home, at work, and in relationships. Great podcast if you want more intentional focus in your daily life.

 

START NOTICING BY:
 

Reflect on your day.  Eat somewhere new. Walk in the opposite direction. Eavesdrop. Go on a photo shoot. Watching nature. Roam a new neighbourhood. Be quiet. Scan the room. Take the long way. Talk to a stranger. Sit on a park bench alone. Make a map. Describe an object. Capture your noticing, share it with a friend.