Paying Attention

We all know the lesson – sit at the front of the class; ignore distractions; listen to the teacher; don’t play music while studying; focus on the road; don’t text and drive… it’s all about paying attention.

So, this past week I made a commitment (actually a re-commitment) to focus on one of my top values –  ENCOUNTER EACH DAY, EACH MOMENT AS IT IS.

This meant intentionally focusing on the here and now and it was more difficult than I remembered. I have a lot going on in my life and it was challenging to consciously focus only on one thing at a time; to engage with people as they showed up, not as I remembered them from a previous encounter; to listen intently and really hear the messages presented before me – not just the verbal and visual ones but the invisible ones too. WOW! What an amazing ride! I cannot begin to capture all the messages, lessons, encounters and emotions but it was indeed as if an unseen force was presenting just the right people with just the right words at just the right time for me to hear, absorb and learn. Each encounter was new. Each engagement fresh with opportunity.

Here’s a simple example – wanting to spend a few joy-full moments with my son this weekend, we decided to sit together and watch a show. He selected a new TV series based on a movie he liked, not particularly one my favorites and not one I believed would provide any great enjoyment. As he queued it up, I sat there and consciously, intentionally “let go” of my preconceived notions, memories, assumptions and opinions. I sat there next to my son and watched… listened… paid attention…and was well-rewarded. The shared experience brought me joy and laughter, filling my afternoon with just the right lightness. Then, during what seemed like an insignificant scene, one character turned to another and said, "You do have a choice, you just to be willing to take it." (~Detective Carter, Rush Hour, TV Pilot) I grabbed pen and paper and quickly jotted down the message then returned my attention to the show and to my son who was now looking at me quizzically.

That was three days ago and this message continues to whisper to me.  So I do what I do – it has been the subject of this week’s Morning Pages – journal entries I do in the early morning with my first cup of tea. In a few days’ time I will have uncovered my hidden jewels of action.

So – pay attention this week – write down the messages you hear. Think deeply about what they are saying and encouraging within you. Then, share them with someone. As always you are welcome to share them here.