MAKING THE MOST OF YOURSELF

LOOKING AND LISTENING

YOUR EYES AND EARS can be powerful tools of discovery. Pay attention as you help a neighbor plant a garden. Study the way a window washer ties a safety rope around his waist. Watch where birds near your home like to roost, and notice what they seem to be doing. Learning by observing is especially important when you are hiking and camping. Yon can make sense out of a map only if you are aware of landmarks around you. When you see changes in the clouds, you can pitch your tent before a storm breaks. Sit quietly in the woods and you might observe wildlife that would otherwise stay hidden. Practice using your other senses, too. The smell of rain, the taste of a huckleberry, and the feel of the wind in your face can deepen your enjoyment of adventures and teach you much about the outdoors.

ASKING "CAN YOU SHOW ME HOW THIS WORKS?"

"Would you tell me why this happens?" "Is there a better way to get this done?" When you are curious about something, ask. People are almost always willing to share what they know. Be polite, of course, and if someone is busy you might need to arrange another time when he or she can talk with you. But there are no silly questions and there are no questions that are too simple. Questions are stepping stones to knowledge. Unless you ask, you might never know.