Let's Catch Up. A case for collecting evidence of the everyday.

Do you ever feel like you are wandering aimlessly day to day or that one day bleeds into the next and the next? Could that feeling be an invitation to stop and take notice?

You might be asking, take notice, notice of what?

Everything! Well, first notice the things in your physical surroundings. What is on your floor, counter tops, in your refrigerator? Do your surroundings whisper how you are caring for yourself? What is written on the scattered notes in your day timer or journal? What are the books by your bedside? What are the quality of the connections with other humans during your day?

What does all this noticing say about where you are in your life?

What is the evidence telling you?

"What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it."

These pieces of our day help tell a story, even get us out of a rut of a well-spun tale. We can gather evidence of a new story taking place right underneath us when we take the time to glimpse it everywhere.

Another good question might be around timing. When is a good time to collect the evidence of the everyday?

For some of us it might be when our head hits the pillow and we can play the reel of the day looking for evidence of a day well-lived. For others it is only possible when our feet hit the floor and we rise up into the opportunity of a new day. And then there are those of us who need nature to get struck into the present moment inviting us to collect evidence and take stock of ourselves. What feels like a right time for you?

⏰ Me being honest, these sweet moments only happen when my mind is still; not being pulled by the past or pushed into the future. These moments happen at various times of the day.

This morning I enjoyed one of these sweet moments when I stepped into the bathroom. Ha! If you know me, that will make you chuckle. (For those of you that don’t know me so well, suffice it to say that a radiated bladder is a small one.) When I opened the door the sun illuminated the room in a way that highlighted evidence I had not paid attention to for ages.

Taking it all in I felt inspired to live a little more fully today. Let me explain. But first, because I know you are just itching to see, here are a few photos of my bathroom.

Momentos. Little things found or given to us along our life journey. Those things we choose to keep, they speak to us, when we notice them. They inspire us in the direction we wish to go when we are more intentional about where it is we are going. They can also help us see that we are on our way or be the very thing that inspires us to change our ways. Collecting evidence allows us to see the resonance of our own desires.

I took in my surroundings.

🎨 The two pieces of art depicting waves were done by my dear friend and ridiculously talented Dina Gardner. I acquired them at a time when I was surfing the crazy waters of divorce. They remind me of how fierce life can be sometimes and also how stunningly beautiful. The other piece is the work of Joan Spillman and illustrates a view I took in while spending time on Marthas Vineyard during Covid. Looking back in time, I am filled with so much gratitude it makes me weep.

The other pieces of art remind me how much I love to float in the ocean. I can actually sense the peace I feel in dead mans pose poised half in and half out of the water. Buoyed by a whole life-force beneath me and witness to the endless possibly of sky above.

Which brings me to the elephant in the room, the octopi.

I’ve had a thing for these stunning creatures ever since I was a child. One of the things I loved about my new house was the wallpaper the previous owners chose for the bathroom!!

My love for octopi resurfaced during Covid, when I watched 📺 the movie My Octopus Teacher. The timing could not have been more perfect. The main character was looking for a radical change in his life and decided to explore the South African kelp forest of his childhood. It is there he met an octopus. He decides to go to the same place every single day. I don’t remember how long he did it. I do remember that he learned about vulnerability and that his relationships changed because of his experience. Including the relationship with himself. He was part of something bigger, for the first time in his life he had a sense of belonging.

Wonder, connection and profound discovery. A world of wonder we could all use a dose of now and then. It was such an achingly beautiful story. It reminds how valuable it is to be constantly curious about our place in relationship with the world around us. When we stop for a moment to notice, and collect evidence of our surroundings— they have so much to teach us if we allow a hot second to explore beyond ourselves and learn to coexist with other living creatures.

What is possible when we can be curious about life through their unique perspective?

During this time I also read 📚 The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery. Another surprising exploration into the intelligence and consciousness of octopi. She takes us on her weekly trips to the Boston Aquarium introducing us to the personalities of the several octopuses she meets there. Her writing offers a plethora of information through stories told to her by scientists, divers and other enthusiasts. She also wrote an octopus book for kids called Inky’s Amazing Escape about an octopus’s escape from an aquarium in New Zealand that is a true story.

What does this evidence collecting reveal to me today? Enormous gratitude for the path I have walked leading me to this sweet moment. I’m going to take some interesting facts about octopuses and use them as metaphors for self-awareness and bring them into my day. Maybe even tonight when my head hits the pillow I will take the time to collect the evidence of a day well-lived.

🐙

1. Intelligence and Problem-Solving : Octopuses are known for their remarkable intelligence. They can solve complex puzzles and escape enclosures, symbolizing the potential within us to overcome challenges and think critically about our lives.

2. Adaptability and Camouflage : An octopus can change its color and texture to blend in with its surroundings, showcasing its adaptability. How can we learn to adapt to our environments and circumstances while embracing our true selves.

3. Regeneration : An octopus can regenerate its arms when they are lost. Seriously! This certainly reflects resilience and the ability to recover from setbacks in our lives. Just as an octopus can thrive after a loss, so can we renew ourselves and grow stronger through our experiences.

4. Eight Arms, Many Options : With eight arms, an octopus can navigate its environment and engage with multiple tasks simultaneously. This can symbolize the importance of multi-faceted growth—exploring various aspects of our lives, interests, and skills. Back to noticing what are we reading, writing about, who are we connecting with… how can we align with what we desire?

5. Unique Learning Experiences : In "My Octopus Teacher," the filmmaker develops a unique bond with a wild octopus, learning profound lessons about connection and the natural world. This story illustrates the value of building relationships and how they can lead us to personal insights and growth.

6. Emotional Depth : "The Soul of an Octopus" by Sy Montgomery explores the emotional intelligence of these creatures, suggesting that they have rich emotional lives. This can resonate with your audience about the importance of tuning into their own emotions and recognizing their depths as essential to personal growth.

7. Environmental Awareness : Octopuses thrive in diverse marine environments, reminding us of the importance of awareness of our surroundings.

What evidence can you collect today? I eagerly await to read about your experience.