• Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Legal Information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Speaking
  • Healthy Spirituality Store
  • Resources
  • Bio
  • Healthy Spirituality Gift Guide

Seeing Everyday Signs

November 13, 2012 By Jean Wise

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust

When you travel you learn to see with new eyes. Common sights in our everyday existence jump into our imaginations with new wings when seen on foreign soil.
Our recent pilgrimage to Scotland and England, I was fascinated by the road signs. We were in countries where we knew the language – English, of course, – but words and their meanings were different. 
Here are a few of my favorites:

A Loo is a bathroom.  Really?  They give awards for the best toilets???

This would get my attention!

blank
Polite way to saying Yield.

blank
At first I thought this was a hidden Mickey.

blank
We were on a tidal island but got off safely.

blank
Here we tip cows.  I guess flies are more fun in England.  I just never could get one to tip over for me.

blank
And your heart…

blank
They never ceased to remind us that they drive on the correct side of the road.  

This made me wonder how strange some of our signs, customs and words are to people travelling here. Now home I am more aware of signs that I often take for granted. I see home in new light. What would others see here that have faded into background for me?
One of my prayers before they trip and now afterwards is to be open.
To see God’s world with the eyes of a pilgrim:
     seeking direction,
         noticing the everyday miracles
              beholding the ordinary.
The greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” 
— Bill Bryson

I often find myself taking the people God has placed in my life for granted too. Not really seeing them, hearing them, appreciating them. Since coming home, I see them with new eyes, fresh love and a surprising sense of wonder. I hope I never lose this sacred awareness of daily spectacular unfolding right before me.
“People travel to wonder at the height of the mountains, at the huge waves of the seas, at the long course of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars, and yet they pass by themselves without wondering.” 
– St. Augustine

How many road signs in life do I miss everyday? I am sure I have often overlooked them, but am taking them in now with greater vision.
What ordinary everyday sign are your seeing with new eyes lately?

Enhanced by Zemanta

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on LinkedIn Share on Email

Filed Under: spiritual lessons

Comments

  1. blankJean Wise says

    November 15, 2012 at 7:18 pm

    Thanks Connie. Pay attention is a phrase I am hearing a lot lately too.

  2. blankJean Wise says

    November 15, 2012 at 7:18 pm

    Thanks Lori I think we can open our eyes without the benefit of travel BUT going other places, getting into new routines and seeing new things does help. Hope you can travel one day too.

  3. blankConnie@raise your eyes says

    November 15, 2012 at 2:50 am

    Loving how GOD keeps confirming the message to me to slow down…to listen…to see with His eyes.

  4. blankLori McClure says

    November 15, 2012 at 2:17 am

    I so want to travel one day, and you bring out great points about our perspective. The world can look so different through a different lens.

  5. blankJean Wise says

    November 14, 2012 at 5:34 pm

    Thanks! I know since I have been home, my antenna has been higher – paying more attention to all around me. I hope and pray I don’t slip back into old habits.

  6. blankJean Wise says

    November 14, 2012 at 5:33 pm

    Thanks Laura, I certainly enjoyed watching for and photographing some of these signs.

  7. blankmessymarriage says

    November 14, 2012 at 3:48 pm

    What a great analogy! I do think I take certain people in my life for granted. This will be a wonderful reminder to me today to pay closer attention. Thanks for the gentle nudge. 🙂

  8. blankLaura Boggess says

    November 14, 2012 at 4:31 am

    Jean, this made me smile. We just started Kelly Minter’s Bible study on Ruth and today we talked about how we take things for granted when we feel safe. Such good thoughts, Jean.

  9. blankJean Wise says

    November 14, 2012 at 2:27 am

    Thanks Nancy, The more I pay attention, the more I see God – a spiritual discipline I need to do more of! I don’t want to miss Him either.

  10. blankJean Wise says

    November 14, 2012 at 2:26 am

    Hi Lynn, I really enjoyed these signs on the trip too and knew they would be fun but also a lesson if I paid attention. Paying attention is the key!

  11. blankNancy Ruegg says

    November 14, 2012 at 2:18 am

    ‘Love that phrase, “behold the ordinary.” It reminds me to slow down and take note. God is revealing His divine nature, His glory, His heart. Every day. All around me. I don’t want to miss a single display!

  12. blankLynn Mosher says

    November 14, 2012 at 12:30 am

    Oh, Jean, I loved these signs! Always loved signs. Some are great fun. Unfortunately, in this life, we whiz by God’s signs so quickly that we don’t even know they are there and we end up in a hole! Thanks for this and for sharing your wonderful trip with us! 😀

  13. blankJean Wise says

    November 13, 2012 at 5:49 pm

    Thanks Clella. Keep looking! God is everywhere.

  14. blankJean Wise says

    November 13, 2012 at 5:49 pm

    I know my vision has been sharper since arriving back home, Jody. Now I only hope it continues and I don’t slip back into not paying attention. Yes He is everywhere

  15. blankJean Wise says

    November 13, 2012 at 5:48 pm

    Thanks Denise!

  16. blankJean Wise says

    November 13, 2012 at 5:47 pm

    A very smart blogger friend of mine from Conn (YOU!) told me to pay attention on my pilgrimage. That was a great reminder.

    I had to really chuckle at loo’s awards though.

  17. blankClella Camp says

    November 13, 2012 at 4:44 pm

    Good thought provoking Post Jean. I am always at wonder about the nature around me. Looking at the world a bit differently today. Thanks Clella

  18. blankJody Collins says

    November 13, 2012 at 3:35 pm

    The ‘ordinary and the everyday’….Jean, thank you for piquing my interest. I’m going to ask the Lord to keep my eyes open for Him and His work today–His signs are everywhere, especially in the people around us. I’m going to need to take note.

  19. blankDenise Oldham says

    November 13, 2012 at 3:05 pm

    Awesome.

  20. blankNancy Franson says

    November 13, 2012 at 2:01 pm

    These kinds of experiences truly can be an exercise in slowing down and noticing those things we take for granted.

    I’m pretty certain my loo would never win any awards 🙁

Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

blank Read More…

Subscribe to Healthy Spirituality and learn more about spiritual practices such as prayer

This book will help you as you plan and attend a spiritual retreat

blankblank

Let’s Connect!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Medium
  • Pinterest

Search This Blog

Categories

Copyright © 2023 Lifestyle Theme · Genesis Framework by StudioPress Themes · Blog Set-Up By Blogelina