Unravel your 12 senses

If asked to list our senses, I would say they are five: sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch. As I walked to downtown Camden recently, I realized there were more than five senses. Here are a few senses I experienced on my recent walk.

1. Sense of wonder - I wonder what it was like to live here 100 or more years ago? Back when these big colonial houses were only heated by firewood. Big families, huddled by the fireplace or around the kitchen cook stove. One side hot, my other side cold. Back when sea captains left for months and wives wondered when they would return. I wonder what this place will look like 100 years from now?

2. Sense of sight - Everywhere I look has local color from the brick buildings to colonial homes to the village store fronts and historic opera house. Many places have views of the harbor and the comings and goings of vessels, big and small. I look up to see Mt Battie and the tower. I can go up Mt Battie and look down on the village and the bay beyond. I realize that I am looking up, down, out, and in.

3. Sense of awe - I am in awe at the beautiful handmade craftsmanship in unique local stores. I am in awe at the shopkeepers that manage to handle throngs of visitors in the summer and quiet days in the winter.

4. Sense of sound - I hear the beautiful church bells hourly, reminding me of time passing. I stop in my tracks when I hear them, taking nothing for granted. Meandering under the village is the quiet Megunticook River that pops out from under town just before the harbor with a high-energy waterfall.

5. Sense of hustle and bustle energy - I feel the energy as locals scurry to and from work, route 1 traffic tries to get through town, visitors rush from store to store with focus, others look lost - perhaps no longer knowing how to slow down and 'vacation'.

6. Sense of taste - I walk by so many delicious restaurants run by master chefs with fresh seafood the norm. Before dinner, a stroll to the candy shoppe and after dinner, I stroll over to the river for creamy ice cream and people watching.

7. Sense of peace, calm, and tranquility - Tucked away in various parts of town I find quiet places. Places like the town green, down by the harbor, and the library amphitheater. Places that I could easily miss if I wasn't paying attention.

8. Sense of smell - In the summer, I smell fresh cut grass. In the winter, I smell new snow and crisp, clean air. Downtown, I smell roasting garlic wafting through the air as the local chefs prepare for the next meal.

9. Sense of desire and dreams - For hundreds of years people have been coming to this safe harbor on the bay, a modern bucket-list destination. I personally have enjoyed visiting since my parents took me here at the age of three. It's a place where visitors often ask me 'What's it like to live here?!'

10. Sense of touch - Physically, down by the waterfall, I feel the slight spray as the river hits the ocean. Mentally, I feel the excitement and anticipation of yummy food as I slide across the vinyl booth of a local diner that has been keeping locals and tourists well fed for years.

11. Sense of accomplishment - I am out, walking, getting fresh air, moving my pins, and enjoying where I am at the moment. I am here - right where I want to be.

12. Sense of appreciation - I have other places in the world that I would like to explore, but today, I appreciate what I can find right here where I am.

This was written based on my recent walk in Camden, Maine. This could easily apply to a walk anywhere! I hope this inspires you to do some exploring of your various senses too!