I’ve spent the entire summer reading Barry Lopez’s book, “Arctic Dreams.” It’s a lengthy read, and I still have a lot left to go. The other night, though, I came across a line that really resonated with me: “Watching animals always slows you down.”
As someone who often seeks to slow down in various aspects of life, this notion struck a chord. The idea that observing animals can inherently slow us down was something I hadn’t explicitly considered before but found to be true in my own experience.
At our family’s cabin, after reading that line, I began to notice that every encounter with wildlife had a calming effect on me. Whether it was butterflies, bees, moths, hawks, salamanders, toads, rabbits, deer, various songbirds, crows, or even a bear in the distance, I felt my mental pace decelerate and my focus become sharper.
I wasn’t intentionally bird-watching or tracking. Instead, I was just going about my day—sitting on the porch, driving, or walking around. These animal sightings seemed to interrupt my hectic thoughts and mental noise, bringing a sudden sense of calm and focus.
Recognizing this was a true blessing. It felt like a gift of awareness from Lopez and the animals themselves. Just watching them could induce such a state of tranquility.
It also made me realize that this phenomenon has been easing, healing, and calming me unconsciously throughout my life. Maybe that’s why I am so drawn to wild places and the natural world.
It’s my way of slowing down. Sometimes, just looking out the window and observing a still chipmunk can create a sense of shared calmness.
Today, on Thanksgiving Day, I wanted to share this reflection with my favorite writing student. We’ve often discussed the significance of animals like foxes in our lives, and I believe she’ll find this as heartwarming as I do.
I am grateful to Jill Elizabeth for writing this piece and to Bodhipaksa for sharing it. The slowing down and delight it brings are invaluable.