Engaging mode

Having been fortunate enough to be able to visit a variety of places in the last month, everything from remote islands to capitol cities, I've been reminded of what it really means to engage with our surroundings, with our environment. To actually move from 'doing' mode, speaking, taking photographs, reading maps and guides; and entering 'being' mode, engaging all our senses.

Research shows that the views that have the most calming
influence are those with mountains, the sea and forests

Too often it seemed that wherever people were, along sea shores, around harbours, on mountain ridges even on city streets there were people too busy to actually stop and notice. Too busy to smell the flowers, feel the cold of the breeze, the warmth of the sun, the sight of the eagle soaring overhead, the sound of the goslings swimming in the canal. 

The weather changed in a few hours leaving a good covering of snow on higher slopes

Instead of actually experiencing for themselves they walked around with the smartphones and tablets held in front of their faces, watching the limited view afforded by the screen in from of them rather than engaging with the better view which can never be replicated on screen, the view through their own eyes. I watched people pile off tourist coaches, take photos and get back on the coach for the next viewpoint. I'm reminded of lines from the famous poem -

What is this life 

If full of care

we have no time

to stand and stare?