To be perceptive… what does that mean? The dictionary indicates that to be perceptive means to be ‘observant.’ So perceptive people would not be oblivious to actual conditions happening around them. For instance, if serious climatic changes were occurring frequently in the environment, people would not — due to conditioning from nefarious leaders paid off by the fossil fuel industries — go around pretending that serious global weather changes were not happening. Heavily conditioned minds may exist in a rut that prevents the truth from being seen. An intelligent, dynamic mind is beyond stale conditioning and crude containment.
Additionally, the dictionary indicates that ‘sensitive’ is another meaning for the word ‘perceptive.’ With real sensitivity comes compassion, empathy, and a deep feeling of love. A narcissistic person (as many, unfortunately, are) is sensitive mostly exclusively for his or her own organism, excluding all (so-called) others. That kind of sensitivity is very limited, very narrow, and very circumscribed. In reality, it is not sensitivity at all; it is an exemplification of a lack of sensitivity. Selfish people are mostly only focused on the little “self.” A person of this type is trapped in demarcations that are extremely small, petty, and limited.
It may be that in very profound and deep perception, the self is absent or rather insubstantial. Such perception is never mere reaction… it is immense and magical, intelligent, blessed action.
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Essential and necessary to aim for Tom. 👌 Trying to crush all those intervening thoughts and preconceived notions that distract us from what is really going on.
Thank you for this – you always make me reflect, even on very hot, sunny days like today in Cheshire, UK ☀️
I hate to think what the future is going to be like for our children, grandchildren and planet under the predictions of increasing global warming effect. ☹️
Thank you, Margaret… and, yes, one wonders what the future will be like for all of the young people. Greta Thunberg, for instance — a famous, young climate activist — claims that the previous generations have ruined the planet for her and other young people.
And please be careful in regard to, as you say, “trying to crush all those intervening thoughts and preconceived notions that distract us.” What is trying to crush those thoughts and notions may be another extension of such thoughts… so, indeed, please be careful. Self-deception is all too easy.
It’s very hot outdoors here in Illinois. Crazy hot! Please stay hydrated and cool. 😉
Exactly.
Perception isn’t just seeing — it’s seeing through. Through the noise, through the conditioning, through the easy stories we’re sold so we don’t question too much. Observation without sensitivity is just a camera; sensitivity without outward compassion is just vanity.
A truly perceptive mind isn’t shackled to the small self or the propaganda-fed rut. It refuses to ignore the obvious just because it’s inconvenient. It sees the storm coming and doesn’t pretend the sky is clear. And when perception is deep enough, it stops being a reaction to the world and becomes something else entirely — an intelligent, uncorrupted action that needs no permission.
Strange that you are echoing some of my words. Hoping you truly understand.
Wow amazing macro Tom! So exotic qnd beautiful!
Great to read from a photographer like you, Marcela! 😊
‘Tis a shame that more people are not blessed with the qualities found in the last paragraph of this post Tom. That is an amazing close-up of the Praying Mantis. You can see this creature opening its mouth, maybe for a nibble on the plant of an unseen (to us) insect. Was the plant wet or did it have waxy leaves as the sheen on the leaves accentuates the body and feet of the Praying Mantis.
Yes, Linda, most people have succumbed to a very crude, cold, and limited social educational network. Then they go through life “unseeing” it all… which is so very tragic.
It was very magical to see that splendid, green Mantid roaming around the green foliage the other day. The leaves are naturally very “waxy,” but they were extra shiny the other day due to all the rain we were having. The little birds are back in the yard from having absconded due to the residual timber smoke (that was pouring in) having subsided, and/or due to the Bald eagles in the area having moved on (for now).
Yes, sadly so Tom. I’ve seen a “Stick Bug” but never a Praying Mantis/Mantid – what an unusual-looking creature. Okay, I wondered about the plant as the waxy-looking leaves almost resembled a houseplant. We got a drenching downpour Tuesday night and it lasted for about two hours. We were supposed to have severe weather that night, so I was relieved it was only rain. That’s good the birds have returned. We had a one-day respite from the heat/humidity and wildfire smoke – that was today. But I had some errands and grocery shopping to do since I’d put it off due to the weather/smoke, so that was my agenda – it was not all that “cool” in my opinion – driving home at 1:00 p.m. it was 83. Just a few years ago, I would have called 83 degrees hot. We have Cooper’s Hawks in the neighborhood and when you see a shadow go by overhead, you usually hear all the Sparrows scatter for the bushes where they seek refuge. I have a Golden Vicary in my backyard and they go there.
Around 84 here today. I did my yard work way towards evening. I’ve noticed that ever since the Bald Eagles decided to live here on the river (for the fish, etc.) all the Turkey Vultures seem to be gone.
We’re back in the hot weather again, with possible severe weather again tomorrow. It is the 30th annual Woodward Dream Cruise tomorrow and people come from all over the U.S. to drive up and down Woodward Avenue all day (in the 90s … the very old Model Ts and classic cars will be breaking down in that heat. We have a lot of Turkey Vultures here – you see them cruising overhead, even in the residential neighborhoods.
Cute caption, Tom and I was just talking to a friend about how we might not see changes when we are in the thick of a situation, which echoes your first paragraph. Also, interesting thoughts on sensitivity, or lack thereof.
Thanks, Michele, and it’s awesome that you were discussing with a friend in such a way… and not sticking to ordinary chatter.
Schools need to focus way more on “sensitivity” instead of just those regular (so-called) very important things.
Thank you, Tom. I’m not really one for “ordinary chatter,” though laughter is always welcome. Yes, true. Doing so could nurture students, transform society, and possibly make schools safer.
“Perspective” it changes with distance from the event of object.
The perceiver is the perceived.
You’ve captured something rare: true perception isn’t just noticing—it’s dissolving the lens. When awareness moves beyond conditioned ruts and self-limiting frames, it doesn’t just observe the world—it meets it. That moment when your sense of “self” softens… that’s not abstraction, it’s resonance. Thank you for showing how compassion flows from being whole, not from guarding boundaries.
Yes, T.D., being whole… not guarding (learned, limited, and primitive) boundaries.
“You’ve captured something rare: true perception isn’t just noticing—it’s dissolving the lens. Your point about not guarding boundaries echoes what I tried to explore in Wild Coherence — that real wholeness arrives when we let life’s untamed intelligence move through us, rather than keeping it fenced in. Wild Coherence”
Very nice
I usually translate being perceptive into “paying attention”. You can’t be an artist when you don’t’ pay attention to what happens around you or to what you’re doing.
Right on