Heroes Not Zombies

What do you see when you look at this photo?

I’d be surprised if you didn’t say the sunflower. In fact, you may well have noticed the sunflower before you “saw” anything else.

Of course you also see the rest of the scene. The field of purple flowers, the trees in the distance, but this sunflower captures your attention. It stands out from everything else.

We have a highly developed capacity for noticing difference. We notice what has different features or characteristics. We notice different behaviours. We notice change.

Change is difference over time. How many times have you noticed a noise when it stops? How many times do you turn to look at whatever has moved. Movement really attracts our attention!

We need these differences around us. We need movement. We need change. How many people have complained about forgetting what day of the week it is during this pandemic? In lockdown we really did get the chance to experience “a month of Sundays” and we began to crave something different, something new, some movement, something to distinguish this day from all the rest.

The truth is there are no two days the same. The truth is this present moment is always unique. It is always different from the past, and every future present moment will be different too.

One thing which makes life appealing, fascinating, engaging, is to notice what’s different. What stands out today? What is “outstanding” in this present moment?

Paying attention to, and becoming aware of, differences is a core human skill. Practicing it feels delightful. It puts us in touch with the deepest truths about reality – every moment is unique, every flower is unique, every person is unique, change is constant and everything is connected.

Tell someone what stood out for you today.