Yesterday I went to the Karl Stirner Arts Trail to run. At first, I just ran back and forth on the trail. We did sprints and other drills. Our last run was more of a cool-down run so I ran at a slow pace. As I ran back, I noticed so many things I didn’t before. Before I was focused on practice and not mindful of the environment around me. As I lightly jogged back I paid more attention to the scenery. I was amazed that I didn’t even notice it before. I saw dogs in the park, I saw birds flying above, and spent more time looking at the artwork and boards with information on them, rather than just glancing. I feel like there’s so many things like this around us, but it’s just a matter of paying attention.
I totally agree with your last statement! Its seems like we humans tend to take for granted whatever is close by and go elsewhere searching for excitement or nature or meaning or whatever (analogous to how we are often looking on our phones for something more interesting than what is right in front of us). Perhaps its right here if we know how to look.