@marinelife I actually find walking around with music in my ears raises my awareness makes me more keen.
But there is a point when it becomes too much.
@thorninmud also beautiful answer.
And I liked the nature answer as well. So much is happening around us on so many different levels one can’t possibly be attuned to it all.
For me the biggest surprise is people. Not the obvious young couple moments or the frazzled mother. The stereotypes we blindly see.
The actual interaction, exchange of emotion, warmth familairity. When examined the moment or gesture is small and meaningless by itself. Yet its very meaninglessness imparts a component of life itself.
And then I realize as an observer I am not interacting. The people have become fishbowl material. Understanding how it works again how it is so easy and fruitful I can plunge in and be rewarded.