“Seeing many things, but thou observest not…”  (Isaiah 42)

“Jesus perceived…”  (The Gospels)

 

Observation is different from seeing.  Everyone can look at and see another persons face, but it is the observer who detects the person’s thoughts, feelings, or mood.  In the novel, “The Study in Scarlet,”  Watson could see the steps that lead up to 221b Baker Street, but in his failure to observe, he knew not that there were seventeen (17) steps that lead to the door of Sherlock Holmes.

As it is true that the Christ-ian forfeits many blessing by failing to go to God in prayer, it is the person who fails to use his senses that fails to glean much from his surroundings.  In order to observe one should use all of the senses God has given him.  One should look and see with their eyes, hear and listen with their ears, smell with their nose, taste with their tongue and feel with their touch in order to observe.  As Christ-ians we have the sixth (6th) sense of discernment as well.

If one wants to improve in their observation, one can begin by counting everything. One can look at those around them and observe what clothes they are wearing and what color they are.  One can observe the hair upon a person’s clothing and discern whether they be human or animal, if animal, what kind?  Observe the hand of those you encounter, are they married? engaged? are they blue collar? are their hands rough” is there dirt under their nails” are they white collar workers?  Do they have ink smudged on the side of their palm?  Observe the pens in a person’s shirt pocket, are they expensive or common?  What could that mean?  Look at the condition of a person’s car or work space, what does this say about them.  Observe a person’s reading material, what does this suggest?  Are their items in front of their books on their book shelves? what does that suggest?  If your subject is female, is her hair pulled back or is it styled? what does this say about their employment?  Are the knees of a man’s pants dirty?  what might they do for a living? The person’s shoes? muddy, dusty, polished….where is a person’s feet pointing?  The feet are the most honest part of a person’s body, it has been said.  If the feet are pointing toward the door, that person wants to leave.  If the feet are pointed toward another person, then they are interested in being with that person.  Legs crossed away from some one or legs crossed toward someone speaks to the thought of the person crosiing the legs.  Begin with these and your observation skills will grow.  Also focus on the “little things.”

Another great help I learned of recently is art.  One can greatly increase their abilities in observation by studying art…the faces, the colors, the moods, etc. of a painting. This I learned from “Visual Perception,” by Amy Herman.  This book is available at Amazon and this writer highly recommends it.  Another great source is Paul Ekman, a psychologist and facial recognition expert.

Who does the skill of observation help?  Besides everyone?
*Pastors
*Spouses
*Parents
*Police and Law Enforcement
*Doctors
*Salesman
*Leaders
*Employers
*Managers
*Anyone who doesn’t want to be lied to.
*Amateur and Professional Athletes
*And everyone else.

Where to practice?
*The mirror, expressions are pretty universal…study your own expressions in the mirror.
*Malls…Watch the people at the mall like it’s a zoo.  Be careful not to be obvious.  If ever confronted simply tell them what you are doing.
*Traffic, again be careful not to be noticed.
*T.V.  The actors learn how to present emotions through facial expressions and body language.
*Art Museums
*At home with your family

Where to learn more?
*The Bible.  Look up the word, “Countenance.”  look up all the times the Scriptures tell us, “Jesus perceived..”  and then look at what he perceived and ask yourself, how did He perceive this…..and know this, He perceived using His senses and not His divinity.
*Mystery Books…Use Sherlock Holmes as a text book and not as entertainment.  The police do.  Get a mystery book, read the ending and then look for the clues as you read from the beginning.
*Books on the subject of observation, body language, reading people, clear thinking, logic, critical thinking.  I’ve already suggested Amy Herman and Paul Ekman. Other helps could include word searches, and spot the difference books.
*Watch T.V. to learn and not only to be entertained….learn from police or crime procedurals, learn from mystery shows.

 

I hope this help those who want to observe the world around them and not just see and forget.