There’s obviously no denying we live in a visual world. The eyes absorb all everywhere you look. But, what of our other senses? What are they taking in? Are they being utilized to their fullest? (the other senses being: hearing, smell, taste and touch)
Our potato friend here clearly has needs but is anyone in his immediate vicinity really listening? (that fellow bottom left looks like he’s reading on an i-pad) Maybe if Mr. Head flashed a giant banner or had dancing French fries behind him he would garnish more attention. As it is, he’s virtually invisible.
Most humans strictly rely on their sight – first and foremost – for just about everything, whereas
a dog, for example, interprets the world predominantly by sense of smell. Can you imagine relying just on your nose to understand the world around you? A dog’s sense of smell can be as much as 10,000,000 times more sensitive than us human’s. Whoa! (maybe that’s why we – as a species – started showering daily. Poor Fido couldn’t stand us!)
And, just when was the last time you could smell a friend approaching from six blocks away?
Also, what of hearing? I SAID WHAT OF HEARING! Good, now that I’ve got you listening try and imagine living in a world without your eyes for a moment.
I used to work in radio as a producer and ones sense of hearing becomes greatly attuned to the job at hand. They become your eyes. An orchestra conductor, for example, knows when someone isn’t playing a piece properly, not by sight – as that violinist he’s looking at could be going through the right movements – but rather by sound (the hearing -or not hearing – of the correct notes.)
Our woodsy friend here (hear?) needs a sympathetic and knowledgeable ear to air a certain problem. What
if the psychiatrist was not listening but instead doing Suduko as our trunk talked?
Our poor tree would then feel like a sap (ling) wouldn’t he?
I always find it interesting to watch how my cat approaches something new. (be it food or a toy for example) She first sees it – true – but then cautiously moves in for a sniff and then a light touch with her paw. If it’s food she’ll then taste it. If it 
makes a sudden sound she’ll jump sky high! She rolls through all her senses before deeming things okay. She doesn’t just trust her eyes. (this is her checking out a water bottle while undoing a knot – such talent! Houdini would be proud).
So, take a moment and go outside without your cell phone, family, friends, clothes or even your pet. Then simply close your eyes and listen. Let all your other senses bring in the world to you. Listen for sounds. Smell the air. Feel the breeze embrace you. If it’s snowing stick out your tongue and taste a snowflake. Or try this: take a
single strawberry for example. Study it with your eyes then roll it between you fingers. Listen to the sound it makes when you rub it. Then bring it close and give it a good sniff before popping it into your mouth. It’s quite an amazing concept really and one we tend to overlook.
Most of us are always in a hurry. We see the strawberry, pop it in and gone. It looked good but…….
Savour the moment (s) before it’s gone.
Hey, I just had a great idea: I think I’ll make my next post a ‘scratch ‘n’ sniff’ one. I’m so on it!
