Take time: Feel

by Meredith Spicher – Features Editor

From the time we’re born, to the time we die, we are constantly learning. Our bodies learn through many different experiences. One of which starts when we’re babies; it’s called sensorimotor, which is a term used to relate to the sensory and motor aspects of bodily activity. Piaget’s theory of the sensorimotor stage starts at birth and lasts up to approximately age two. It’s centered on the baby trying to just make sense of the world around him or her. Through feeling, simple motor skills, even eating, the infant learns new things about the world around him or her; like whether or not something is hot, cold, soft, hard, and any other adjective you can think of. So what does this have to do with you? If you’re reading this, you’re certainly not a baby.

I’ll let you in on a secret: we’re still growing and learning. What?! Shocker, right? Even grown adults are still taking in new information and working to know more about this great big world of ours. And feeling is a big part of that.

Feeling plays a big role in our lives, for more than just learning. When you walk outside and feel the warmth from the sun on your face, you feel something. Obviously, the sun’s heat; but also comfort, safety, a sense of security. If we weren’t able to feel, we would miss out on these amazing sensations. We wouldn’t even know what we would be missing.

So be thankful, for even the slightest things, especially during this time of year. Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for everything you have, big or small. Through the past few weeks, I went through each of the senses and explained why we should be thankful for them. I also wrote about how much we take them for granted. So don’t. Be thankful for everything, and never lose sight of what you have, because it could be gone in an instant.