Awakening Sounds

                I just started reading a wonderful book about contemplation techniques for artists and writers.  Over the last few years I find myself too easily distracted and am hoping this book will help me focus my thoughts.  For example, I just spent a minute in the middle of typing that last sentence analyzing a long gray hair on my keyboard—I determined it was my own...sigh….Anyway, I’d share the title of the book, but it’s on a different electronic device and Biff won't move off my knees so I can go get it.  Looking over that last statement, I’m starting to form a pretty good theory on the sources of my distracted state-of-mind.

The neighboring church steeple at twilight

                The first suggestion the book makes is to walk, daily if possible, and pay attention as the calls of creation try to catch my attention.  Since it’s already twilight and I’m in my pjs, I modified the exercise to involve sitting on the patio swing listening to world.  What an amazing world it is, an entire symphony of sounds awakening from frozen winter silence!  Gone are the hushed, icy tinkles of blowing snow and the thin rattle of branches rubbing in the wind.  Tonight’s sounds have the resonance of a thawed world, with a much earthier quality and healthier abundance than last month.  Birds are making their final evening calls.  Cars are cruising the street with windows down so teenagers can shout to friends they pass.  Footsteps of dogs and runners and walkers surround me.  The dark is filled with laughter and voices and the sound of shutting doors.

                I can see multiple cat faces peeking out the kitchen window, meowing protests at being left inside.  How can I concentrate when I'm being stared at?  Oh well, it’s too cool to stay out much longer anyway.  I think I’ll return another evening for a healthy dose of nature’s distractions.  The world has much to say over the electric din of our gadgets.