Paying Focused Attention

I like to take walks.

Walking helps me reflect on things, allowing questions and answers to work themselves out in my brain. Walking is a way to spend time both alone and with other people. Walking is good exercise that does not usually require my full concentration. Walking also allows me to accomplish things while I am getting exercise and reflecting; multitasking for physical, intellectual, and social health.

Occasionally, walking demands that I pay focused attention. There are stretches of sidewalk that have been mangled by tree roots growing underneath them, becoming topographic challenges for unfocused pedestrians. Drivers who are eager to be on their way may not be paying careful attention themselves to the fact that I am in the crosswalk and the walk light is telling me it is safe to proceed across the street. There may even be someone riding a bicycle, a skateboard, or some other vehicle on the sidewalk.

These circumstances demand that I pay focused attention.

I know that when I do not pay attention, when I am not focused, there can be serious consequences. I can fall down.

For a long time I was focused, but did not pay attention. I was focused on getting results, being effective, getting things done. Focused and determined, I did not allow people or things to get in my way. My eyes were on the prize, and I overcame many obstacles to get where I wanted to go.

I did not know myself very deeply, and was not paying careful attention. It was falling down that got my attention, that woke me up to myself.

With work, and help from other people, my attention is more clearly focused. I have learned some of the lessons of paying attention.

What wakes you up to yourself?

When do you pay focused attention?

[Image by Helga Birna Jónasdóttir]