The sound of the rain was gentle and persistent, as was the ticking of the old clock, something it has been doing off and on for many generations. I listened to both while sitting on the sofa, head back and eyes closed. Soon, it was only the clock that I heard. Tick, tock, tick, tock…steady, predictable, comforting, orderly. Tick, tock, tick, tock…then a funny thing happened.

We have five senses for a reason; well, multiple reasons. They are necessary for survival, and they complement each other, like how taste and smell work together. They are pretty much always taken for granted until one, or more, is lost temporarily or permanently. Frequently, one sense will then become sharpened to help compensate for the loss of the other. They are, indeed, designed to work together for our safety…and our pleasure.

Our senses bring beauty of all types to us. As I listened with my eyes closed, the other senses decided they wanted to join in the fun. I noticed the feel of the sofa’s fabric under my hands as one rested on the armrest and the other flat on the cushion. I could feel my shirt on the curve of my shoulder. The sound of the rain re-joined and it seemingly was in synch with the tick, tock, tick, tock of the clock. A subtle scent from the kitchen found its way – actually, I found it as it was always present – to the room in which I sat. The scent made my sense of taste kick in, encouraging me to track down the source of the aroma and satisfy my tastebud’s yearning. Tick, tock, tick, tock….

I smiled and remained still. I was the playground upon which my senses played, having a great time, I might add. After a few minutes – I have no idea how many, since senses have little concern or interest in seconds and minutes – I opened my eyes and saw with clearer vision the details of the clock, the texture of the sofa fabric, the warmth of the kitchen and so on.

Perhaps we should try more often to attend to one of our senses and enable it to unlock the others so they reveal the world, and its beauty – whether subtle or sublime – to us.