What will you notice today?

Dear Reader,

Changing your setting, whether it be through travel or just shaking up your workday has many benefits: fresh perspective for problem solving, increased focus and creativity, and boosted mood or motivation. One of the surprising benefits that comes with a fresh perspective is a stronger appreciation of your day-to-day environment. For me, travel reminds me to NOTICE things. To open my eyes and ears and take in my surroundings.

In my travels last month, I was blown away by the history of the places I visited.

I climbed an ancient fortress in Corfu, which had protected the island from invasion during the Byzantine era. Standing on the highest point of the island, I could remove myself from the day-to-day stressors of modern life and think about what was on the minds of the people who were inside the fortress so many years before.

Photo credit: Nikos Mamalos Commercial Photography

Our home base was the 400 year old Villa Posillipo. I was able to clearly visualize what life was like in that Villa 100 years ago, as the PBS show “The Durrells in Corfu” was filmed at that home prior to its most recent renovation.

In Edinburgh, I stood within the ruined walls of Tantallon Castle, high on a cliff on the East Lothian coast. Tantallon dates back to the mid 14th century and was assaulted numerous times in its 300 active years, the final attack at the hands of an English army in 1651. We climbed steep spiral staircases made of thick stone that had tiny openings for daylight and stood in the partially ruined “dining hall” and considered what it might have been like to live in such a place without electricity.

I could go on, but suffice it to say, I found myself consistently thinking about those who had come before me. The history surrounded me and I couldn’t escape.

A few weeks later I was driving around back in New Jersey and noticed this stone plaque by the side of the road. I have passed it many, many times while going about the business of my day and have rarely taken notice.

But I do remember the first time I saw it. It was about 25 years ago and I was driving to work. I was a teacher, and I traveled on “back roads” to and from school to avoid the highway. I was probably thinking about my upcoming day of teaching, when I noticed what looked like a headstone on the side of the road. I slowed down to read it. “Huh. Cool.” I kept driving. A few miles later I saw another one. And then one more appeared before I arrived at school. I remember thinking “What? My whole commute follows the victory path of Washington's army? That’s wild!” For a few days I kind of lost myself in envisioning unpaved roads void of massive suburban residential estates and a whole mess of military troops marching along after battle.

I opened my eyes, and it had an impact on my perspective. I walked through the world differently in the days that followed.

After returning from my trip, I’m trying to notice and appreciate more in my everyday surroundings. Who knows what it could unlock?