It's the curse of our modern, multi-tasking ridden lifestyles: the more you rush to get things done, the less you notice about the nuances of your days and the world around you. Spontaneity and surprise make rare appearances. Disconnection and dissatisfaction take hold. That's when you need a connection infusion. There are many ways to refresh your outlook and enhance your everyday experience of life: a brief pause for focused observation, a slight attitude adjustment. Try a few of these ideas and see what happens.

Be visually aware. Take note of something new each day as you go to work, walk the baby or run errands. What's new in the landscape? What do you find interesting in the people you notice? Seasons change, houses go up for sell, new businesses come into town, birds migrate, and there are new roads to be traversed. No matter where you live, your surroundings are packed full of little surprises and gifts. Make a point of noticing what yours has to offer.

Start a breakfast or lunch club. Select a morning each month to meet a friend for breakfast or go to lunch with someone outside of work. You'll be surprised how easily this changes up your entire day. It's an opportunity to be infused with new energy and to reconnect with people you don't get to see very often. And if you have become used to being "Mrs. Mom” or "Ms. Manager” this gives you a regular experience outside that role.

Dust off your "would like to try” list. Attempt something that piques your interest: sailing, tango dancing, bird watching, flower arranging, or acting. Most community colleges have classes that can be worked into your schedule. Or let your spouse or children suggest a new activity (within reasonable limits). This should inject some "don't-take-it-all-so-seriously” levity into your life and your family will gain an appreciation for your willingness to try spirit.

Take a picture. Once a week or monthly take a photograph of something you'd like to ponder in more detail. It could be a picture of something you haven't noticed before, a person or pet, or an element of the natural landscape you find interesting. Post it anywhere you can see it during the day. Alternate close-ups and wide-angle views to help keep your outlook flexible. This rotating visual should provide surprising insights abo

ut what's important to you at any given moment.

Tune in. Zoning out when you drive? Try a new radio station. We often tune out the vast richness that is available to us through sound. You may be surprised to hear what's considered "oldies” today.

Act on your affectionate inclinations. When you think of a special friend, your mate or child, do something thoughtful like e-mailing them or leaving a sweet note where they'll find it. If you run across a magazine article that might be helpful to a coworker tear it out for them. They'll greatly appreciate the thoughtful gesture. Action based on positive emotion reverberates outward and more richly connects you to others.

Find a focus. Pay attention to the stimuli and messages all around you at least once a day. A bus banner might catch your eye, or you could hone in on a sentence in a book or magazine you're scanning. A song lyric or overheard conversation might resonate with you. Information may present itself in a comment from a stranger or friend. What you notice and absorb does matter. Once you feel the truth of this in your life, you can't help but feel more alive and connected to the world.

Pay compliments. Acknowledge the cleaner who always does a great job getting the mystery stains out of your clothes. Tell the friendly postal clerk how much you appreciate his or her sunny demeanor. Compliment the store checker on her earrings. Too often we think nice things and simply don't verbalize them. Notice the good things in life and speak up.

Copyright 2006 Melissa Wadsworth

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