Am I the Mentalist?

Two of my favorite TV shows are Psych and The Mentalist. For those who are not aware of these shows, both characters come off as psychics; but in reality, they are just super observant of their surroundings and see things that others don't.

Wednesday mornings my walking takes in a different aroma (more like stench?). Garbage pick up day, and I probably don't need to say anything else; but I will. As you walk passed some of these garbage pails, it makes one wonder if some people are still throwing out thawed out meats from Hurricane Ike. Horrendous doesn't even come close to some of those pails.

Today I decided that I could walk and grumble about the smells or I could do something different. While hearing a bird chirping in a tree, a chirp that I had never really noticed before (sounds like rickety rickety rickety), I decided that I would ignore the "smells of nature" from their green abodes; and instead, I would become like Psych or the Mentalist and notice what else is around the path of my walk. You would be amazed what you can tell about people just by walking passed their house.

First of all, the birds--when I am out with Gabi or Braydon, we have always noticed the birds gathering in the parking lots. Today I thought, I have never told them to listen and see how many different sounds they can hear from the birds. When one is truly cutting all the other noise out of their life and just listening for the birds, a symphony is truly played with many different parts. Beaumont is known as the bird capital of the US. People come from all over just to go bird watching. On our own property, we have seen cardinals, blue jays, owls, hummingbirds and many others that I don't know the names of. But now, I am going to listen and not just watch.

Other observations include those who are patriotic with their flags flying proudly in front of their homes every day, those who are religious with crosses on their doors or religious statues in their gardens, and those who love the holidays with ghosts and goblins already decorating their front lawns.

With sounds of weed eaters and lawn mowers, I could tell that there are hard working people in this world who will do whatever they need to do in order to earn money to feed their families; and some homeowners do the work themselves because of a love for landscaping. But, by walking passed some homes, I could tell that there are those who don't care about their lawn at all (especially the home whose grass is about 12 inches long). Color enhances the yards of many as you see so many different flowering plants in gardens. There are yellows, blues, reds, orange, purple, almost a rainbow full of color.

It is always fun for me to see homes that make it aware there are children living there. Trees with swings hanging from the strongest branch, riding toys so moms and dads can enjoy the great outdoors right in front of their homes, and of course all the basketball hoops. Today, there was a family walking down the street with mom pushing one stroller, dad pushing another stroller and their three dogs walking merrily along side of them (my walking Hatcher is more like Hatcher dragging me through the streets).

Boats in driveways prove that someone likes sailing along the water probably loving the cool breeze blowing in their face.

Did you know that you can tell when someone is cleaning out closets? Just take a walk on garbage day and you will see hangars, old christmas ornaments, and many other things that they just don't seem to need anymore. And, I am thinking that today, someone went to school without their shoes as they were sitting nicely in the driveway paired up waiting for someone to put them on their feet.

Some are very safety concious as they display the name of their alarm company in front of their home; and there are those who, I guess, don't care if someone realizes they have gone away for a few days. One home has this most amazing mailbox, very old fashioned. But, as the week goes by, I can see the mail reaching the point that there is no more room for letters and junk mail. With newspapers unread in the driveway, one would assume that no one is at home.

In church we are always reminded to block out the sounds of the world so that we can better hear the promptings of the Holy Ghost. This principle was exemplified today for me as I cut out the garbage and clutter along my path, and just took the time to listen and to observe. Amazing things happen when we do that. I wonder how many more promptings I could hear from the Lord if I would just stop and listen? Maybe it is time for me to put that principle into action and see what the Lord wants me to hear.