What About The Detail?

The richness I achieve comes from Nature, 

the source of my inspiration. 

                                                                                                      Claude Monet                                     

Walking in the Australian bush is an adventure, there are so many unexpected elements of interest in this environment which are easily missed, to me these surprise elements make the bush experience what it is - and a reason to grab the camera! I have a great love and respect of nature; the perfect detail of even the smallest leaf or bug, which I often only notice through my camera lens, still creates that overwhelming sense of awe and wonder in me. Pattern, shape and colour in nature serve an important purpose and it is this detail that might make a difference in a variety of circumstances.

Some of the range of flowers possibly not noticed in the large photograph!

I have in the past been 'accused' of paying too much attention to detail - why is this so important to me? It is this attention to detail that best demonstrates my respect of the people and the environment I am in - I really care about them which is why I do my best!

It is very often the small things that might be overseen, dismissed or considered unimportant which may make a big difference! Artists know the importance of attention to detail as do bakers, architects, doctors, builders, carpenters, builders, mathematicians, scientists, and doctors! 

At a recent dinner in Scotland I felt the table centre pieces needed some nature added to them - picking up a few natural materials and placing them on the central mirrors to me added the final touch, not critical but still meaningful!

In a recent blog I recalled an experience while traveling that was memorable to me - the small details made a big difference! I linked this to the opportunities we offer young children.

Does attention to detail in creating a high quality play and learning environment for our young children add value to their experiences? Children are aware of minutia, they notice the small things that we as busy and rushed adults often tend to miss - valuing and showing an appreciation of this demonstrates to children the respect they deserve from us.

Stopping and enabling children to closely study a tiny bug or explore the 'mechanics' of nature.

Eating lunch at a beautifully laid table with real cutlery, drinking glasses and a vase of real flowers

Wingate Children's Centre in England

Having access to beautiful high quality resources presented in a respectful manner

Auchlone Nature Kindergarten in Scotland

Giving our full and undivided attention, going down to the appropriate physical level when communicating, asking for opinions and consulting about small and large matters, being respectful of personal dignity and treating others in a manner we would want to be treated are all signs of showing respect but are also part of the finer detail of relationships. It is often the relatively small details in interactions that cause the most hurt or upset; not getting appropriate recognition, feeling an action is unfair, not feeling valued or appreciated - this would apply to humans from birth to 100!

By really caring and knowing the people around us, we can value them for who they are, value their unique strengths and support them in many ways by paying attention to the detail that would mean most to them at that time such as a gentle hug, a card, a kind word, a smile, a flower, a phone-call and other small acts of kindness! Paying attention to the finer detail does equate to being respectful towards those I care about.

Everything that happens to us leaves some trace behind; everything contributes imperceptibly to make us what we are.
 
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe