I recently read an article in Whole Living Magazine about boosting your brain power. It seems that as we age (who, us?), we become more forgetful and distracted, partly because our brain doesn't process what we hear, see, and smell the way it once did. The reason we become less sense-itive: we tend to tune out our surroundings and do many of our daily tasks on a kind of autopilot. But when we wake up and smell the coffee (or hear the birdsong or admire the flowers), we're actively using the sensory parts of our brains, which means blood is flowing to those areas, keeping them robust. We need to take in the sounds, sights and smells of the world around us.
I know for me, becoming passionate about photography has taught me to really see the world around me. Getting out and shooting also puts me in the environment to notice the smells and sounds as well. I like to think that this sensory awakening is helping to keep my mind active and my senses sharp.
This post is off the topic of our monthly theme "My Favorite Things" but then again, maybe it's not. Photography is definitely one of my favorite things and now I have even more to love about this hobby, knowing it's also doing my brain some good!
So get out there, awaken your senses to the world around you and share with us in the Flickr pool some of your favorite ways to keep your senses sharp. Don't forget to tag your photo with the monthly theme "My Favorite Things" in order to have your photo considered for "In Focus". Have you noticed the "In Focus" spotlight in the right column here? Cathy Hubmann's photo was featured last week. Wouldn't it be fun to have your photo spotlighted this week?
"For ourselves, who are ordinary men and women, let us return thanks to Nature for her bounty by using every one of the senses she has given us." Virginia Woolf.
17 comments:
Hi Terri -
What a beautifully written post! The information from the article is very interesting. In my professional life, I often discuss this with my patients. The loss or diminishing of a sense can cause a disconnection from the environment, as well as from people. The sounds and sights of the world let us know that we belong.
What you'r saying is the opposite of this - using your senses to their fullest can increase your connection to the earth. It's one of the reasons I love being out there with my camera.
Enjoy the world today, sisters - smell and see and hear the beauty!
Peace and hugs!
This is a wonderful and encouraging post of something we can actually do that will help us stay in tune with the world around us...Staying connected is very important on so many levels....
Thank you for the insights.....
Hugs and blessings,
Nancy
Great post Terri, I am going to enjoy the senses and smells with Terri today so today is a good day. :)
Wow, so it works both ways! Thanks so much for confirming that, Carol. And thanks for your thoughtful reply. I'm heading out today with one of our readers, Barb Hurst, and we're going to do our best to awaken our senses!
Wow, so it works both ways! Thanks so much for confirming that, Carol. And thanks for your thoughtful reply. I'm heading out today with one of our readers, Barb Hurst, and we're going to do our best to awaken our senses!
Thanks so much for your comment, Nancy. It's always nice to hear that we have connected with our readers. My mother is such a good example of this theory. She is 85 and still so connected with the world that you'd think she was 65 if you sat down and talked with her. She's definitely my role model!
Thanks, Barbara, and I'm looking forward to awakening our senses today!
love these beautiful photos! thanks for the reminder to focus in on our 'senses'...it just 'makes sense'... :) xo
I'm sitting in the library today (due to technical difficulties with my internet!) reading your post. A timely post illustrated with gorgeous images!! You made me realize that wherever I am I need to use my senses! So, I smell the the books, I hear soft whispers and the tread of feet, and I see out the large window I'm sitting next to the beautiful greens of the trees and a water pond! Thanks for your reminder to be more in the moment!!
Lovely pictures and great reminders! It helps me focus on my subject, when taking pictures, to take a minute and just take in the scene with more than my eyes.
Some of the best parts of my early morning walks are listening to the sound of nature waking up, and catching the scent of something blooming!
Have a fun day!
xo,
Linda
Such a good reminder to be in the moment and really be present! I remember reading that article in Whole Living (which by the way is one of my favorite magazines now). Beautiful photos my friend :)
A passion for photography really does heighten one's senses, appreciation of the world around her, and, as Leigh points out, keeps one present in this moment. With sadness I've watched as my elderly mother's world has shrunk more and more with passing time. In order to combat this withdrawal, we must make a conscious determination to stay engaged ... and remain engaging ... even as our energy wanes. But a passion for photography helps to combat that very problem, not only does it heighten our senses and mind, it energizes as well. Thanks for the thought-provoking post, Terri.
xo,
Dotti
I just noticed you changed the photos in your banner. Nice idea...keeps it fresh. Love checking in each day with this blog. Y'all do an amazing job. J
Yes, don't you just love the new banner? Thanks for being a "regular" here and for your wonderful comments.
Do you think this means we can stay "forever young" as long as we keep shooting? I think we can!
Even in the library, you are finding ways to use your senses! Good for you!
I agree that we will stay forever young as long as we still keep moving forward and "learning" doesnt become a bad word.
Love your bird!! sooo cute.
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