So I’ve been pondering the inner whys and what-fors of this lifestyle I find myself in. I like to think of life in general as an art with countless outlets for self-expression. There is also an art to exploring the world around us with countless ways and places to discover.
In this case, I discovered this amazing fern…at the zoo. I’m always tickled by the visitors so intent on the fauna, that they miss the remarkable flora that can be found at zoos. Just like the exotic animals we will not see in our backyards or local forests, zoos contain exotic plants as well. While this colorful character may not be exotic, it’s certainly remarkable. Crowds passed by in preference of kangaroos…who weren’t even doing anything remarkable at the time. Go fig.
The point is, be open to noticing more than just the “main event” and you’ll feel like you’ve really been there. I remember that day and this fern vividly, even though it was over three years ago and we’ve been to this zoo more times than I can count. When you’re open to all the possibilities of a place, familiarity doesn’t breed boredom. Go ahead and immerse yourself in all of the sights, sounds, and smells…that’s where discovery happens.
As I head out to the Smoky Mountains for the next two weeks, I have my mental reminder in place to be cognizant of all aspects of the park…not just the mountains. (Which are awesome too of course.)
So I leave you with this:
A discovery is said to be an accident meeting a prepared mind. – Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
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