The spider web glistened by the light of the sun. Larger than my hand, radiating from each shiny thread, it appeared untethered to any physical structure at first glance. As I nudged closer for a better look, I could see strands that stretched out from the web to a bench on one side and a tree branch on the other. And there, in the not-quite-middle of the geometric spiral, was a spider no larger than my pinky.
This brief encounter (that I almost missed seeing as I rushed past with my puppy) reminded me that I’d seen a lot of spider webs recently. More than usual, I told myself at first. But then I paused. Could it be that for the first time, I’ve been living life slowly enough to actually notice?
My preferred learning style has always been visual. I see and I learn. I notice and I understand. Lately, though, I’m getting nudges from life (and my thirteen-year-old daughter) that I need to listen more. Not to say that “seeing” is bad. But, the more I listen, the more I realize that this sensory exploration cultivates mastery of internal knowing. When I pause long enough to listen, I have a choice.
What would happen if I could hear not just the obvious sounds, but the messages that are propelled by the energy of the universe, that are whispering to me? What if I could see beyond the web, and listen to the spider as it weaves? What if I could pause long enough to wholly experience a moment and cultivate my own intuition?
Just like a web glistens in the sunlight as the spider weaves a tale of life and purpose, we have an opportunity to spin our own story by listening more. And while listening often starts with what we hear through our ears, just like a spider web has multiple directions, so too does our listening.
Listen.
Listen more.
Listen deeply.
Why listen?
There are whispers behind the obvious noise. The whispers are where the magic happens because when we allow ourselves to notice the subtle undertones, we give ourselves the gift of space to be more present. To show up with intention instead of judgement. To react less and feel more.
Listening is not just about sound.
Listening is feeling. Listening with my ears leads to me to listening through noticing sensations in my body. It leads me to the intuitive nudges that come out of nowhere. It leads me to the pause between my heartbeat. It is an invitation to explore mastery of internal knowing.
Listening deeply may not be easy. But it feels worth it to cultivate a deeper connection to the now, and to the potential that comes from mastery of internal knowing. More listening, less reacting. More listening, less judgment. More listening, more space. And, maybe just maybe, our listening will inspire us to spin our own glistening spider web of understanding.