All summer, I’ve been going through Barry Lopez’s book, “Arctic Dreams.” It’s really long and I haven’t finished it yet, but the other night, one particular line grabbed my attention: Watching animals always slows you down.
As someone who constantly seeks ways to slow down, I was intrigued by this idea. In my own life, I’ve found it to be quite true, even though I hadn’t thought about it this way before.
I was at our family cabin when I read this line, and the next day, I noticed that whenever I saw wild animals—whether it was butterflies, bees, hawks, salamanders, toads, rabbits, deer, various songbirds, crows, or even a bear in the distance—my mind immediately became quieter and more focused.
I wasn’t specifically watching for animals, just going about my day sitting on the porch, driving, or walking along. Yet, every sighting seemed to disrupt my mental noise, replacing it with a calm and quiet focus.
It was such a blessing to recognize this shift and to receive this deeper awareness from both Lopez’s words and the animals around me. It’s fascinating that simply watching animals can have this effect.
I’ve realized that this effect has always been present in my life, subtly soothing and calming me. This may be one of the reasons I feel such a strong pull towards nature and wild places.
Watching the natural world around me has become my way to slow down. Whether I’m watching a still chipmunk sitting with its tail wrapped around or just looking out the window, these moments are shared experiences that bring a sense of peace.
It’s Thanksgiving Day, and I’m sharing this article with my favorite writing student. I know it will warm her heart just as it did mine, especially since we often talk about foxes and their unique roles in life.
Today, I feel grateful for Jill Elizabeth for writing this piece and for Bodhipaksa for sharing it. What a wonderful way to slow down and find delight!