You're Looking, But Are You Seeing?

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I had never been to this city before, so as you can imagine, I was excited to experience everything there was to see and do.  When you visit a place for the first time,  all of the sights, sounds, and smells of a place, and the tastes of all of the local foods keep your senses at a heightened state.

Of course I visited all of the usual tourist attractions - Independence Hall, The National Constitution Center, The Liberty Bell, and many more. But as I walked through the city I also noticed the magnificent wall murals everywhere. They are true works of art.  I also couldn't help but notice that the public bus stops had stained glass designs, each one different from the next.  The buildings at night are lit with ever-changing colors, and there seems to be a beautiful fountain around every corner.

When I visit someplace I also people watch.  I try to figure out who is a tourist and who lives there. It's usually not very difficult to figure out. The tourists, are like me, looking around, stopping to take photos, and maybe taking a little too long crossing the streets.  The people who live there rush by all of us, heads down, walking fast, seemingly oblivious to their fabulous surroundings.  And that makes me think....hmmmmmm, do I do the same thing when I'm in my own little corner of the world?  Am I rushing by all of the beauty around me, without even a glance?

As a photographer I think that I pay attention to my surroundings and notice the beauty in things that many others would just walk by. But I do realize that I can do much better.  I want to see my every day as a visitor would see it.  I want to notice the little things, and re-appreciate the big things. To stop and see things as if they were new and different to me.  To not just look at my surroundings, but to really see my surroundings with a fresh eye.

I have made a vow.  When I take a walk I will walk down a different street.  I will eat at a restaurant I have never been to.  I will visit "that place" that's so close to home, but that I've never visited before.  I will walk out my front door each day and take notice. Of the smell of the summer air, of the purple blossoms climbing through the picket fence, of the sounds of the birds in the trees.  I will be a visitor in my own little corner of the world.

Do you truly see the beauty of where you live? Can you look at things as a visitor would? Whether it be a big city or a small town, there's always something special  around every corner. Please share something special from your corner of the world with us in our flickr group.


You also have one more day to share your water photos with us before we move on to a new theme. We've enjoyed all of your beautiful entries this month and thank you for your participation.

"Look at everything as though you are seeing it either for the first or the last time, then your time on earth will be filled with glory." - Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn