Listen. Watch. Enjoy. Learn.

There are four words I try to remember throughout every single day of my life.

As a society we are constantly in a rush. We are constantly staring at our phones, our iPads, laptops, or the traffic stopped four feet in front of our bumper. We’re breathing heavy and fast and our blood pressure is high. Because, damnit, we have places to be! Deadlines to meet! Our time is clearly more important than their time.

Here’s a thought. Have you stopped recently to figure out who “they” are? Have you talked with them? Have you smiled at them? Have you removed your earbuds long enough to hear the sound of their voices? If you haven’t, can I challenge you to try?

Listen. I love music as much as anyone out there. I listen to music constantly — at home, in my car, on my bike commuting, at the coffee shops where I work. I love music. But I make an effort every single day to spend time without music when I’m in a public place, and I find that I hear the most fascinating things. Take, for example a simple jog, around the local lake; I hear 2 second snippets of dozens of conversations the entire time I’m running. “…so he came over and then we…,” “…spreadsheets. I mean can’t they send me anything else to work…,” “…mixed with chocoalte and little pieces of peppermint. Oh my god it…” Tiny pieces of conversastions. Tiny glimpses into the days of strangers. On occasion I find myself stuck on a particualr nugget of conversation and wonder about it. ‘I wonder what happened when he went to her house?’ ‘I don’t mind spreadsheets. I’m kind of a data nerd. But, I guess if I only did spreadsheets I’d hate my job, too.’

I don’t really pay attention to who is saying what, or who is on the receiving end of the conversation. I stare straight in front of me and just listen. Wonder. Think. And, I keep on running until eventually I’m back in my own little world and in my own little thoughts. I smile when I’m done and pretend that I learned a little bit about a lot of people that I may or may never listen to again.

When was the last time you just stopped what you were doing and watched the world around you? You weren’t focused on Instagram. You weren’t walking quickly to make the crossing before the light turns red. You simply sat still and watched life being lived outside of yourself. It’s amazing the small things you’ll see that make your heart feel something. Maybe it’s good. Maybe it’s sad. Maybe it’s annoying. There’s something to love about absorbing the emotion of life around you. Even the smallest details can leave impressions on us.

In our hurry and hustle to get to all of those seemingly important places, we often times forget to enjoy things that can bring a little lightheartedness into our days. I literally try to stop and smell the roses as often as I pass by a random flower. That sweet smell triggers an instant sigh of happy each time I inhale. I make a habit out of stopping to chat with and pet as many dogs as I can throughout my day, because quite simply, nothing warms my heart like a wiggly puppy that is best friends with everyone that smiles in its direction. Perhaps the best of all, I treat myself to something special once a week. Maybe it’s a cookie from a bakery. Maybe it’s a big, sweet, calorie-laden latte. Maybe it’s a new t shirt. Maybe it’s a pedicure or a massage. Whatever it is, it feels good, it makes me happy, and it’s something that brings me joy. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it until the day I die: it’s ok to be selfish and make yourself happy. What’s the point of living if we can’t enjoy our days?

Lastly, I want to learn — mostly about people. I want to know everyone’s story (what they’re willing to tell, anyways.) By learning about people, I discover more about myself. I want to ask questions about where you grew up and why you chose to work for XYZ company. But more than that, I want to know what makes you tick. What makes you smile? What’s your favorite album? If you could go anywhere in the world where would that be and why? When was the first time you ever fell in love? I could go on, and on and on. People’s stories are simply fascinating. We all have seen so much and been through some incredible experiences. All of us have a history. All of us have love, loss, pride, and hope, even if it’s buried under layers of the doldrums of daily life. Your story is in there, and I bet it’s amazing.

Listen to the sounds of everyday life. Intersperce life with the best music you’ve ever heard. Watch the world move around you. Watch it flourish, falter, and grow. Enjoy the taste of the simplest things and the vibrant colors of everything around you. Take time to process and apprecaite the people and situations that cross your path. Most importantly, learn something new every day. Learn a new route. A new song. A new flavor. Learn someone’s name. Learn about life. It’s truly fascinating.