Take Notice of Little, Beautiful Things — Lessons My Mama Taught Me (Part 3)🎧Episode 66

🎧 Episode #66 Take Notice of Little, Beautiful Things — Lessons My Mama Taught Me (Part 3)

What if one of life’s quiet superpowers is simply noticing little, beautiful things?

What if noticing those things brings you closer to knowing yourself, to connecting with yourself, to cherishing yourself?

Sounds like pretty powerful stuff for a no-cost, simple act, and yet we don’t do it nearly enough. Noticing the Canadian Geese on the Great Lawn in Central Park, gathered by the hundreds and squawking loudly. Noticing the way a leaf gets caught in a fence and blows in the wind, held captive and on display in tones of brilliant gold.

In this episode, I reflect on the third lesson my mother taught me: take notice of little, beautiful things, especially nature. Through spoken word poetry, memories of my mom, and the wisdom of Mary Oliver, we’ll explore how noticing beauty through our five senses can ground us, soften regret, and amplify our purpose.

From ocean water and wild geese to ginger flowers, scallops, and morning birdsongs, this episode is an invitation to slow down, savor, and sit with the small moments that have the power to quietly save us. In this world, that feels like a pretty good offering.

Check out episode #66 and explore the power of beauty and the natural world to guide you to personal freedom. Take notice of little, beautiful things – that's my mom's third lesson.

💭Key Takeaways from this Episode:

• Taking notice of small, beautiful things, especially in nature, is a learned practice that you can cultivate to deepen your sense of presence and mindfulness.
• Engaging all five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch, provides a means for developing a fuller appreciation of the power of little moments of joy and appreciation.
• Quiet noticing and nature ground and comfort us while offering new perspectives and avenues for deeper connection with our inner selves.
• Poetry (especially by poets like Mary Oliver) and journaling are powerful tools for slowing down, noticing, and reconciling your internal struggles with the vast beauty of the natural world.
• Modeling curiosity and noticing for our children is a quiet, joyful inheritance to offer them.

A Day of Greening

By Jill Hodge

The fern unfolds amidst the morning dew
Where green is created, and brilliance imbued
Sunshine reflects moss and sage into your eyes
All is good in the world, all is mine

The tree trunk knots and threads around
A wanderer with tendrils that snake and prowl
The roots push up and say hello
As passersby feel the earthquakes below

The flowering ginger stands at attention
A crimson bulb, still, but with dimension
So lonesome travelers can see and know
Which way the fragrant hill blows
And which way the stillness grows

When dark, moist soil gives way to grainy sand
The water comes in close
It touches your toes and bubbles around
It calls you by name so you frolick
Letting go of thoughts and saying no to blame

And under the waves you go
Where sea turtles and octopuses see you
You know that they do
And the water feels just right
Its shades of teal and cobalt blue

You tire out and lie on the sand for a while
Watching people, hearing things that only they may say
You catch a phrase, but without the meaning
And you’re content in knowing nothing
Resting, stillness, on a day of greening

You hear it too, don’t you?
The echo of the wind, the crash of the waves
Your nose tingles and vibrates as it gets played
By the mist of fragrant jasmine, holy spray

It’s life all around, in brilliant shades, and all of it speaks
To the one soul within us who has no name

Journal Prompts to Explore Your Love for Someone Special

Here are some journal prompts for seeking beauty and stillness in the natural world. Write or reflect on the following prompts:

Noticing beautiful little things in the world – nature, music, someone’s smile, the warmth of the sun, or the perfect dessert – will bring a sense of wonder and awe into your life. It will comfort you during challenging times and help you tap into your own thoughts and beliefs. From there, you will align better with your purpose.

Noticing beauty is a powerful yet simple act. It costs you nothing but a few mindful moments, and it gives back so much as you find your way among the trees, the geese, the oceans or acres of grass that surround you. Take notice of little, beautiful things, especially nature – that is the third lesson my mom taught me. 🌞

Podcast Music: My thanks to all the musicians who make incredible music and have the courage to put it out into the world. All music and sound effects for my podcast are sourced and licensed for use via Soundstripe.

Songs in this podcast episode: Midnight Memory by Chelsea McGough; Some Kind of Wonderful by Nu Alkemi$t; Con Sazón by In This World

Resources:

Mary Oliver reading of Wild Geese (On Being Podcast)

Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver (contains poem: When I am Among the Trees)

Related Episodes:

Recognize the Good in Others — Lessons My Mama Taught Me (Part 2) – Episode #65

Let People Know You Love Them — Lessons My Mama Taught Me (Part 1) – Episode #64

Check out the resources on this website (and subscribe) to get podcast episodes, poems, articles, music playlists, and journal prompts delivered to your inbox.

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Journaling Resources

30-Day Journal Challenge (Writing Prompts to Get Started)

Here’s a fun & simple 30-day journal challenge for beginners (or those who need inspiration). Use the daily prompts to rediscover yourself.

Let the Verse FlowJill Hodge

Journaling 101: An Inspirational Guide to Start (or Revive) a Practice

Whether you write, doodle, draw, or keep memorable quotes, journaling uncovers YOU. Let your unconscious mind speak, download my free guide.

Let the Verse FlowJill Hodge

Let the Verse Flow (and its companion newsletter Flow & Voice) is a creative project created with love by writer, podcast host, and narrator Jill Hodge. If you subscribe today, you'll have full access to the website and newsletter, including articles, podcast episodes, and the Flow & Voice monthly note. Members are vital to building a rich community of diverse voices. Join us by subscribing today; consider a paid subscription to support Jill's work. Thank you!