Taking Notice

Maybe it’s something to do with being raised as one of five kids but I’ve always wanted to be noticed

Astrology says it’s because I’m a Leo. We crave the spotlight. My Sunday School teacher when I was 12 said I shouldn’t believe horoscopes. I’m still working on it.

Whatever the cause, I know it’s there. My need for affirmation, attention, adulation even. I was the kid that turned the fireplace mantle into a stage. My tennis racquet into a guitar. My hair brush: a microphone. Once I learned sports could get me attention, I focused pretty much all my energy into becoming good at whatever I did.

At the end of the day, I wanted to stand out.

Somehow I don’t think I’m alone.

I’m starting to think sometimes it’s over-rated—standing out.

In the last year, a place I frequent changed their cleaning system. Or cleaners. Or something. All I know is now I notice things. Not good things. The foul smell in their bathroom. Spot marks on the doors and walls. Things that went unnoticed for however long I’d been to this place now are noticeable. They stand out. But not for the right reasons.

I wish I could tell those old cleaners how great of a job they did. I didn’t even notice.

It’s like that with a lot of things. The stay at home defenceman who never scores aka never gets talked about but also never gets scored on. I’ve blogged about them before but I can’t say enough about the real heroes of this world—mothers, fathers, caretakers, guardians, teachers, nurses, doctors, bus drivers (the kind that let you on the bus when it’s pouring ice pellets), garbage men—I could go on. There are so many good people and good things that go unnoticed. And are far too under appreciated.

The 10^th day in a row of blue sky in the middle of summer. Blooming flowers on the 21^st day of Spring. A toilet that flushes. Water you can drink, wash your face with and brush your teeth with and not worry it’ll cripple your gut with disease and whatever else is in it. A spouse who isn’t perfect but is there for you. The sound of your loved one’s voice on the other end of a telephone line.

So many things that are so great. And I don’t notice them. Maybe it was the smell of urine in that bathroom or just the reflection and introspection that comes with the dawning of a New Year but I want to change that. It shouldn’t have to take fireworks and a big bang to notice something wonderful. Wonderful is everywhere. We just have to look for it. I just have to look for it.