Most of the time, we do not pay nearly enough attention to our perceptions.
We have been gifted with five incredible senses. Humans have. Gifted. What an incredible thing it is, to be able to see. To hear. Smell, taste, touch.
If we are lucky enough to have these wondrous and amazing senses, we are using them 100% of the time.
But we don’t.
Rarely, do we slow down enough to notice.
We gulp down that stack of pancakes like there is no tomorrow. We didn’t even stick our nose right to the surface, so that we could smell the 100 years that went into the tree, that created that maple-good-syrup. We didn’t notice the decades that moved by the bark, the leaves that fell each fall, the spring rains that helped it grow. We didn’t hear the conversations, that came and went at the trunk of that tree. There was so very much to smell there. To take in. To absorb.
So much occurred in its very presence. For years and years. Millions of moments went by, before the singular moment that gave rise to that drop of maple.
We missed it. And that was just the syrup.
It has come to my attention recently, that certain people believe there are things that make them feel they have superpowers.
Incredible beings that we are. We all have superpowers. Our breathing human bodies. That is super, super power.
There are moments when we take time to notice something “beautiful” like a flower, or a painting, or a quilt. Something remarkable. And we examine it. But if we would do this with anything, we can see the wonder. The desk beneath my computer monitor would seem like nothing grand. But the grain in the wood is miraculous. There are patterns, and glitches, and little designs. I can see the nose of a pig, and a worn fence post, a submarine, all within those lines.
Five incredible wisdom-gatherers. Built right into our bodies. Working, diligently, around the clock. They help us. They save us, at times. And they give to us, non-stop.
Some people are fortunate enough to have MORE than five senses. I’ve met a few. Or so it would seem.
If we do ourselves one giant favor today, we should pay attention to our senses. They are the most superpowers on the entire planet.
And they are ours.
==========
“All our knowledge begins with the senses, proceeds then to the understanding, and ends with reason. There is nothing higher than reason.”
― Immanuel Kant, Critique of Pure Reason
===========
“Memories establish the past;
Senses perceive the present;
Imaginations shape the future.”
― Toba Beta, My Ancestor Was an Ancient Astronaut
===========
“Snyder: There are some things I can just smell. It’s like a sixth sense.”
Giles: Well, actually, that would be one of the five.”
― Mutant Enemy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
==========