Less rushing. More noticing.
Earlier this week I was on a walk with my sister’s dog, Bert, soaking up some family time while in Calgary before an exciting speaking engagement.
He’s hilarious and just the best… a golden retriever completely obsessed with his ball, and at 8 years old, officially an old man! (And every time I’m alone with him, we bond over our trick of sharing a spoonful of peanut butter… don’t judge and don’t tell my sister!)
When she first got him, she read about this concept called a “Sniffari” — and I’ve never forgotten it.
You see, dogs experience the world through their sense of smell. So when you’re out on a walk with them, you’re supposed to let them stop. Sniff. Take it all in.
Now as someone who likes to keep a pretty brisk walking pace… this does not happen when I take Bert out!
And yet, it’s always a good reminder.
Not just to slow down, but to actually take in the world around me.
To notice the colour of the grass. The trees. The feel of the wind. To look up at the sky (which, by the way, was a pretty perfect bluebird day!)
Because if I’m honest, I spend a LOT of time in my head.
And while I love — and now swear by — my morning walks, sometimes I’m more focused on my pace, my steps, maximizing the time… than actually experiencing it.
And that’s where the Sniffari comes in!
It’s not just about slowing down, it’s about approaching each walk, each moment, with curiosity.
Almost as if you’re experiencing it for the first time.
And what if we took that beyond just our walks? What if we approached our entire day with that same level of curiosity?
The thoughts in our head.
The people we meet.
The conversations we have.
The things that unfold… whether as expected or not.
As Ted Lasso so brilliantly said: “You can’t be curious and judgmental at the same time.” And yet… how often do we go straight to judgment?
(Also, real-time moment: I’m actually writing this on a plane right now. Just had the sweetest chat with a young girl who’s on her way to Florida with her cheerleading squad to compete in the World Championships.
There was a whole group of them on the flight, all in matching blue shorts and sweatshirts, beyond excited! And I had this moment of thinking maybe I should have told her that my dream was always to be a cheerleader! Alas, that didn’t quite pan out. Although still get to wave my pom poms… literally sometimes! … for the women I work with. And, I digress!)
But maybe that’s the point.
When we slow down, when we pay attention, when we stay curious… we start to notice more. We connect more. We experience more.
Imagine how much richer your day could feel if you came at it from a place of curiosity instead of judgment.
👊 This Week’s Brave Action Challenge
Wherever you are today, set an intention to come from a place of curiosity.
Just for today.
And then notice three things using your senses:
Something you see.
Something you hear.
Something you feel.
Pause long enough to actually take it in.
No rushing, no judging. Just noticing.
Because sometimes the bravest thing you can do is to slow down long enough to actually experience your life!
Cheering you on,
Carol 🩷