A Perfect Find

The other day I read an article about sound and how it

alone of the five senses actively happens to me.  All the other senses I initiate. I choose to experience them, or not. I can close or avert my eyes, plug my nose, and refrain from eating and touching. But even if I cover my ears I cannot prevent the sound waves from hitting my body, from penetrating my skin. And perhaps because of this we can take the sounds all around us for granted or ignore them, like white noise, since we are passive participants in receiving it. 

So I decided to do an exercise of intentional listening. I had just arrived in Vancouver for a mini-holiday that my husband was combining with work. I had the day to myself and I set out early morning to explore the city and really focus on the sounds and not just the sights.

I loved my morning explorations and the exercise in listening had been going along quite well as I furiously jotted down everything I heard as I walked, totally engaged with the blossoming day. I was surprised how much sound informed my understanding of what was happening all around me out of my line of vision. And I didn’t feel like an outsider, a tourist observing the city. I was immersed, connected, a participant in the morning; my steps and exhale of breath adding to the pulse and rhythm of the city, the soft crunch as I bit my scone and the sip of my latte adding to the noise of the day. I was grounded in the moment. As I was waiting for a light to change I noticed that I was in front of a Nordstrom’s and decided to stroll inside.

As soon as I entered the store my exercise in listening flew out of my mind as my greedy eyes took over. I happened to enter right into the purse section. Purses, my kryptonite! The first cute tiny purse I looked at was a mere $1700! Then I saw many purses, clutches, and bags for around $500. When I picked up another adorable yet timeless purse that was on the sale table for only $192, I couldn’t believe it – it was a downright steal! ‘What a find!’ I thought and I was so tempted to buy it. A holiday memento splurge gift for me perhaps? And it would last forever I told myself. Then I looked down at my own purse, a quirky and colourful 20 Euro ‘find’ from Portobello Market in London. I smiled as I remember that amazing European family vacation. And my unique purse – well it is darn cute too!

Brought back to reality I put the purse back on the table and refocused on my listening exercise and found the store to be quite boring, almost silent; carpets cushioning steps, soft nondescript background music and mainly silent solo shoppers. So I exited the store and found the sounds of the now bustling day filled my ears. ‘This is real life’ I thought. Magnetically I was drawn to the sound of falling and splashing water from a fountain across the street. After sitting down for a few minutes to enjoy the morning and the peaceful and playful sounds of the water I decided it was time to turn around. I made my way to the public Library that I had passed on the way, promising myself that I would explore this architecturally magnificent building on my way back to the hotel.

I went inside to lose myself amidst books, hushed tones, and busily working groups of students. I peeked into other worlds and stories as I browsed some books. I purchased several bargain books, not caring in the least if they caused my carry-on luggage to go overweight. And I also found the perfect gift for me - the holiday memento I was hoping to find – tiny book earrings! These $20 earrings were oh-so-cute and infinitely better than the exorbitant purse as they remind me to get lost in books and ideas and adventures – not stores. And they attach to my ears reminding me of my exercise in listening; that I need to remember be an active participant in all my moments and to fully experience life with all senses alert.

Now that’s a perfect find!

*Picture of my purse from England and the earrings I bought at the Vancouver Public Library.