Day 2322: We want to know what you think!

I don’t know what you think, but when I see a sign that says people want to know what I think …

… I often think this:

They want to sell me something.

I think I might be too suspicious, especially since I always tell people in my Coping and Healing groups that I want to know what they think.

I let people in my groups know that I want to know what they think (and feel) by naming what I’m curious about in the moment, which often includes

• their experience of whatever mindfulness exercise we did at the beginning of the group,
• everything that’s happened since the last time I saw them,
• what’s going on for them in the moment (including thoughts, feelings, and body experiences),
• anything they’re aware of that might be contributing to what’s going on for them in the moment, and
• many other curious thoughts I’m having.

Then I shut up, to let them know I’m more interested in what they think than I am in what I think.

I want to know what you think about my other photos from yesterday.

 

 

 

I want to know what you think about things I might do during my week off from work, besides

• walk and observe nature,
• see lots of flowering trees,
• spend time with friends,
• enjoy delicious food,
• complete a *%$*&#@ form for the Internal Revenue Service,
• chair a board meeting of group therapists,
• let people know about the Northeastern Society for  Group Psychotherapy‘s June conference,
• celebrate Mother’s Day,
• miss my late mother, and
• appreciate each precious moment.

I want to know what you think of this song:

 

We want to know what you think of this post, of course.

Do you want to know what I think?  I’m thinking thoughts of gratitude for all those who helped me create today’s blog and — of course! — for YOU.

 

Day 2128: When children are present

When children are present,

and even when they’re not, share your best.

Share your best, especially when the world seems dark and scary.

 

Find the beauty within and around you.

Look more closely for the small details that give you joy.

Say “hello,” tell people your name, and the magic will be totally real.

This is what comes up on YouTube when I search for “When children are present.”

Thanks to all who helped me create today’s blog post and to you — of course! — for being present.

Day 828: I noticed

You may have noticed that my posts often include what I’ve noticed the day before.

You will notice that this post is no exception.

Yesterday, on my drive to work, I noticed this license plate I had noticed once before in a different part of Boston:

If you’ve noticed my past blog posts, that “AUTO” license plate has appeared  — noticeably and obviously — in a previous post, Day 767: Obvious.

I noticed much more, besides that auto license plate, yesterday:

            

  

I am wondering what you noticed in those photos. I noticed, among other things, (1) a budding notice of spring on trees and (2) matzo farfel muffins.

Notice how educational my blog is?

Here’s something else I noticed yesterday:

I’ve noticed that looking younger IS an issue (1) in our culture and (2) for several of my older therapy patients.

Soon after I noticed that magazine cover at work, I noticed an inter-office envelope in my mailbox. I noticed this, inside:

I didn’t notice anybody delivering that noticeably delicious gift to my mailbox and I also didn’t notice how long it was sitting in my mailbox before I it noticed yesterday.

Ever notice how people eat chocolate bunnies?

That bunny got noticeably smaller, noticeably quickly.

Can you notice the difference between these two dinner plates, one for me and one for my 17-year-old son Aaron?

My boyfriend Michael has noticed there are some vegetables Aaron doesn’t like and has acted accordingly.

One more image I trusted myself to notice yesterday:

If you wanted somebody to notice you, what might you say?

You — and Todd Rundgren — might get noticed by others if you say “Hello, It’s Me.”

I couldn’t help but notice that Todd Rundgren sings yet another song I love,  during that live performance on YouTube.

On May 3, I hope to notice Todd Rundgren singing both “Hello, It’s Me” and “Can We Still Be Friends” at Boston’s Wilbur Theater.

Notice I haven’t asked you to leave a comment. Yet.  

How do you like to be noticed?  What in particular are you noticing, here and now?

Noticing and notable thanks to all those who helped me create this (I trust) noticeable post today, including you!