Noticing The World Around Us
No. 76 - lessons I learned from my two-year-old on a recent road trip
This Week’s Musing…
Last night we took a road trip to visit my parents. We drove from Houston to Corpus Christi, which takes about three and a half hours.
I couldn’t put my phone down for more than 30 seconds. I needed the constant stimulation of my screen to pass the time—switching between Threads and Instagram, then browsing a few things on Substack. Whatever was in front of me felt more captivating than the beautiful scenery passing us by.
Then suddenly, my two-year-old screamed, “Mom! The sky is your favorite color!”
He was overjoyed that the sky had decided to paint itself pink—just for his mom.
And that moment? It wasn’t unique. He’s constantly walking around in awe of his surroundings.
He excitedly points to the sky the minute he spots the moon at night.
He waves at every stranger we pass, the biggest smile stretched across his face.
And he never walks past a flower without telling us how beautiful it is.
When did we stop noticing the world around us?
We spend so much of our days with our heads down, eyes glued to a screen. Sometimes we don’t even look up to pay attention to the person sitting right in front of us.
We’re overstimulated, drowning in news and noise. I’m convinced the human brain was never meant to process the amount of information we take in every single day. We’re so surrounded by what’s curated that we’ve forgotten what genuine beauty really looks like.
A beautiful sunset.
Your son’s hand in yours as you walk him into school.
A dinner table full of friends, filled with conversation and laughter.
At church last weekend, our pastor shared how Anne Lamott described the three essential prayers as Help, Thanks, and Wow.
And I thought, what better way to put the phone down and notice the world right in front of me than by anchoring myself in those three simple words?
Help. Thanks. Wow.
Help me be someone who extends grace to others.
Thank you for these two sweet, beautiful boys of mine.
Wow, this cup of coffee is delicious this morning.
Nothing rehearsed. Nothing performative.
Just noticing.
Just being. Here.
What would you ask for help with, say thanks for, and be in awe of today?
Friday Favorites…
💇🏻♀️ I recently started using this blow dry brush to dry and style my hair at the same time at I love it! It’s affordable, gives my hair some volume, and leaves it silky smooth.
🌮 Last weekend we made these tacos and topped them with this salsa and they were to die for. Cooking with chipotles in adobo isn’t something we do often, but it adds such a perfect smoky spice.
🧸 My kids recently discovered this 90’s kids show and they love it. I’ve been impressed with how it captivates boy my 2 and almost-5-year-old both, and each episode has taught them some helpful lessons like sharing.
Happy Friday, Friends! I hope you’re enjoying these last few summer weekends!
Yes! I love this push towards more simplicity in our minds and our surroundings. Weekly “unplugged” sessions should be something we strive to integrate into our family schedules. It’s also quite humbling to be both the teacher and the learners with our toddlers.
Lovely read. Our phones are best experience blockers ever made. They rob of our own thoughts and our own people. We need every reminder we can get to tune in to the beauty around us.