Lesson 9 Transcript

Below is the full transcript of Lesson 9

This lesson and transcript are part of the RAD for Life social-emotional learning program. Educators, counsellors, and parents may view and use this material for personal learning or classroom discussion. The content may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used commercially without permission. The lesson is provided so you can preview and plan how RAD may be used in your classroom or particular setting. Copyright © RAD for Life. All rights reserved.​

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Lesson 9 Transcript: Taking Notice — Looking Around

The following transcript accompanies the RAD Lesson 9 video and explores the strategy Taking Notice — Looking Around. In this lesson, learners practice shifting their attention outward to the present moment so they can accept RoAD Blocks, stay connected to their values, and continue making RAD moves.

Welcome back to radforlife.com — the home of the RAD SEL Lessons.

This is Lesson 9: Taking Notice — Looking Around.

In Lesson 8, we learned about Taking Notice — Looking In. That strategy challenged us to notice what was happening inside us — to notice our thoughts and feelings so we could accept them rather than fight with them.

We practiced saying things like, “I’m noticing I’m having the thought that…” or “I’m noticing I’m having the feeling of…” to remind ourselves that we have thoughts and feelings, but we are not those thoughts and feelings.

Looking In can help us get unstuck from RoAD Blocks by noticing what’s going on inside so we can make RAD moves that align with our values.

Now it’s time to meet Looking In’s non-identical twin: Taking Notice — Looking Around.

Like Looking In, Looking Around is a RAD strategy to help when RoAD Blocks show up. The difference is where you focus your attention.

Looking In means noticing what’s going on inside — your thoughts and feelings.

In contrast, Looking Around means turning your attention outward — to what you’re doing, what’s happening around you, and what’s there in the world you are part of right now.

Both strategies are about purposefully paying attention.

When we Look In, we focus on our inner world.

When we Look Around, we focus on the outer world — what you are seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, or tasting based on where you are and what you are doing in that moment.

Just like Looking In, when you Take Notice by Looking Around, you are not trying to escape or avoid your uncomfortable thoughts or feelings. You simply let them exist while you focus on what you are doing and what is around you.

This can be done anytime — while doing something you love, while doing chores you’d rather skip, and especially when RoAD Blocks show up.

Looking Around usually has two steps.

Step 1: Take a slow breath and notice your breathing.

Step 2: Shift your attention outward — notice what you see, hear, smell, taste, or touch.

In addition, just like with Looking In, you can use this as a chance to reflect on your values and notice whether your actions align with them.

Once again, it is important to note that when you Look Around, you are not distracting yourself from your RoAD Blocks.

Rather, Looking Around is another form of acceptance.

You are reminding yourself: “Yes, these thoughts and feelings are here, and I can still notice the world around me and keep doing what matters.”

You might be wondering, “Why start with breathing?”

Focusing on your breathing is a really helpful starting place for two reasons.

First, your breath is always with you. It is something steady to focus on when your mind feels busy or when RoAD Blocks start showing up.

Second, noticing your breathing helps you slow down just enough to notice what is happening around you and what is important to you instead of getting pulled into those RoAD Blocks.

You might also be wondering, “Isn’t breathing more of an inside thing? Shouldn’t it be part of Looking In?”

Also a good question.

Yes, breathing can absolutely be used when you are Looking In.

However, when we Look Around, we are focusing on what we are doing rather than what we are thinking or feeling, and breathing is something we are always doing. That shift from thinking to doing is what makes it fit so well with Looking Around.

In the end, this is not a detail to worry too much about, because as you will see, we can use Looking In and Looking Around together.

Now, in my instructions for Looking Around, I said: shift your attention outward — notice what you see, hear, smell, taste, or touch.

Do you need to use all of your senses?

The answer is no.

We want to stay flexible with how we Take Notice.

The goal is not to check off every sense. The goal in Looking Around is to set your attention on what you are doing and use the senses that make sense in that moment.

If you are baking cookies, smell and taste probably make sense.

If you are cleaning old gym shoes, you might want to focus on other senses.

Either way, when you do this, your uncomfortable thoughts and feelings may fade into the background. They are still there, but they become less important than the RAD moves you are making.

Let’s look at an example.

A youth is playing in a big basketball game and values competition and teamwork. They feel nervous, and thoughts like “I might mess up” keep popping up.

Instead of getting stuck by these RoAD Blocks, they Take Notice by Looking Around. They focus on the feel of the ball, the sound of the crowd, and the colour of the court.

By doing this, they follow their values and keep playing.

The nervousness is still there, but it does not stop them.

Now, what happens if, when you Look Around, you notice that you are acting in a way that does not align with your values — in other words, you are making notRAD moves?

Imagine in that last scenario the youth faked an injury to get out of the game.

Looking Around should not be used as an excuse to do notRAD moves.

You cannot say, “Well, I was feeling bad about what I was doing, but then I used this Looking Around strategy and kept doing the thing that goes against my values.”

Rather, if this happens, Looking Around can become an opportunity to reflect on your values and change your actions — turning a notRAD move into a RAD move.

In this way, when you Look Around, you can also use that moment to reflect on your values.

You can ask yourself, “Are my actions right now RAD moves — in line with what is important to me?”

This helps you stay grounded not just in your environment, but in your purpose — your values.

Noticing your surroundings and reflecting on your values work together. One keeps you aware of where you are. The other keeps you true to who you want to be.

Earlier, I mentioned that you can even combine Looking In and Looking Around.

For example, maybe you are doing some training for a new job and you are worried you are messing it up.

You first Take Notice by Looking In: “I’m noticing I’m having the thought that I’ll mess this up.”

Then you Look Around: noticing your breathing, the ground under your feet, the light in the room, and the sounds around you.

As you do this, you can take pride in the fact that you are following your values of independence and perseverance by continuing with your training.

Here is another example.

Someone is about to perform a song they wrote. Their mind says, “Everyone will think this is bad,” and a wave of nerves hits.

They first Take Notice by Looking In: “I’m noticing I’m having the thought that people might not like it.”

Then they Look Around: they feel the weight of the guitar, hear the chatter in the room, and see their friends waiting.

They remind themselves that sharing their music connects to their value of creativity and self-expression.

So they play — uncomfortable feelings and all — making a RAD move.

Looking In and Looking Around can be used separately or together.

Both help you accept your RoAD Blocks and follow your values.

They remind you that you can notice what is happening — inside and out — without letting your mind or feelings control your next move.

So the next time you feel stuck, try Taking Notice.

Look In and notice what is inside.

Then Look Around: breathe and notice what is around you.

Reflect on your values and choose to Do what is important to you.

That is the ultimate RAD combo.

Until next time, Take Notice, Look In, Look Around — and as always, Be RAD.

Activity 9

For Activity 9, look at each scenario and identify how the person can use the Taking Notice — Looking Around strategy.

Remember, using this strategy involves taking a breath and then shifting your attention outward to notice what you see, hear, smell, taste, or touch.

For each scenario, think about what RoAD Blocks the person might encounter and whether they are making RAD moves and following their values.