Focusing our attention | Filed under General
I was having a cup of coffee this morning and thinking about something and realized I was no longer focusing my attention on what I should have been doing. How often do we try to do two or three jobs at a time, instead of focusing all of our attention on one particular task? How often are we thinking of other things while having a conversation with someone? How often do people choose to surf the Internet and leave the job they’re getting paid to do undone for the moment? Do you do that, I’m not going to tell on you so you can confess to me if you want to and it will make you feel better.
Do you wonder where I am going with this, well I am going to talk just a little about dividing our attention. Dividing our attention almost always means that the results of our actions is less effective than it would be if we were to give our undivided attention. Undivided attention helps us to be completely present in the moment, and it helps us to see more of and learn more about whatever we do. It helps us to achieve results that most of us only dream of, yet most of us truly never have learned what it means to give our undivided attention. We’ve grown up in cultures that seem to value accomplishment of many things over all else, and we reward people who split their attention and efforts between several tasks.
Personally, I have a very difficult time giving my undivided attention–it takes a great deal of effort on my part to keep focused on just one thing at a time, but I do try, with varying degrees of success. One promise that I’ve made to myself, though, is always to do my best to stay completely focused when I’m with kids, for there are few things more important in young people’s lives than to be with adults who are willing to give them their undivided attention. Such attention gives them the unmistakable message that they’re worth that attention, that someone is interested in them for exactly who they are. Giving them only part of my attention can send the message that there are other things more important than them.
It’s been important to me to practice paying attention. Sometimes I stop and look at something for a while, and I try to recognize the other thoughts that come into my mind while I’m looking. If I’m looking at a flower, for example, and I start to think about a letter that I have to write, I do my best to recognize that thought and push it out of my mind by re-focusing on the flower, or some particular part of the flower. I try to see parts of the flower that I’ve never noticed before, and I look for patterns that might have escaped me. This practice helps me when I’m talking to friends and thinking about all I have to do today–I do my best to refocus on our conversation, leaving that stuff for later.
We hear a lot about “living in the present moment,” and I’m completely convinced that the only way we truly can do so is by learning how to give our undivided attention to whatever it is that deserves that attention right now. Once we divide it, we lose out on much of what is bright and beautiful, right here, right now.
This is even more important to me that I give my undivided attention and focus since Missy (MS) came to live with me she has stolen so much of my cognitive abilities until if I don’t do these things I can quickly be the “very foolish” as in stupid like. I will certainly be tending to make poor decisions or careless mistakes.
Do you pay attention or focus you attention as you should? Do you have special secrets on ways that help you do this? Is there anything special you would like to share so you can help us or just maybe me out here? In the meantime I leave you with this….
Faith is a rare flower of inestimable value. It must be cultivated in the garden of your heart. It must be watered daily with the water of sincerity. The weeds of doubts and misgivings should be totally eradicated. Then faith will strike deep root, blossom and bear the fruit of devotion quickly.
Sivananda
By the way, Life Is Simply Good !
August 2nd, 2005 at 11:13 pm
I totally agree with your comments about giving kids undivided attention Vickie. Well I’m fickle I guess. I cannot stand it when for example I am on I.M. with someone, and they are doing 4 other things while chatting with me…and it’s obvious that they are doing it. This is when THEY have buzzed me, by the way. I give people my undivided attention when I am chatting with them online or in person. I guess I was brought up to have those kind of manners. On the other hand, (this is where my being fickle comes in) I do catch myself sometimes during a conversation thinking about my next comment when someone is speaking to me…. I’m listening to them of course, but my brain is already working out what I should say next. Weird huh? I’ve been working on that. What helps me is just being aware of the problem, and reminding myself at the beginning of a conversation to “pay attention!” It helps a lot.
Great post Vickie, thanks!:heart:
August 2nd, 2005 at 11:48 pm
Whenever I read you, I start believing that life is simply good. Paying attention really pays but there are so many distractions, emotional, social, physical. No?
August 3rd, 2005 at 1:09 am
I’m a communicator by birth and profession and feel it is natural for me to be totally present with others in real life. I’m the first to confess I check out emotionally online, you know, five windows open and uploading when I post. The five senses make it real for me, I think.
I can say I always feel you are totally present with me. You pour yourself into the blog venue and bloggers. Light, love, and peace to you my sister of the heart.
August 3rd, 2005 at 5:35 am
I admit it, I am scatter brained most of the time. Sometimes I just zone out, I have really hard time paying attention at times.
This was a good post, I need to work on this.
August 3rd, 2005 at 6:24 am
Victoria, your faith and outlook are such an inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing both with us.
Blessings my friend.
August 3rd, 2005 at 7:10 am
I worked at one place, where we used to make reference to ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), when we were collectively trying to do or discuss too many things all at once. It was a typical phenomenon when the boss showed up shortly after a long absence.
When working on the computer also, I sometimes have so many programs open simultanuously and jump from one thing quickly to another and back again to the first thing I was doing. Now I try to first finish one “to do” completely, before going to next task.
It’s a problem for all of us. My neighbour oftentimes used to work on his laptop in the garden. “This way I am not distracted by the Internet”, he explained to me.
August 3rd, 2005 at 7:41 am
My mind use to be able to focus on one thing and stay there. Now life has made sure it is always running wild and is hardly focused at all.
August 3rd, 2005 at 7:42 am
You are absolutely right. We do need to focus on today and what we need to deal with right now. I tend to get so overwhelmed if I think about all I have to do, can’t do, would like to do; instead of taking one thing at a time and keeping my focus on what is priority.
*HUGS & LOVE*
August 3rd, 2005 at 7:43 am
P.S. I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers too - that Missy is beaten into submission.
August 3rd, 2005 at 7:50 am
I find nowadays I can’t just focus on one thing anymore. My mind works on 2 or 3 things at a time. I’m not sure if that’s blessing or not… I use to be able to concentrate on one project at a time. I sure hope this isn’t a sign of getting ummmm let’s say “older”
August 3rd, 2005 at 8:18 am
Great message on “believing” that life is simply good.
August 3rd, 2005 at 10:08 am
Victoria~ I have noticed since my own diagnosis and time spent with “missy” that my ability to concentrate on things has gone way down hill.
May I ask how long you’ve been dealing with the ms monster? And what type you have? My email is always open and I am always looking to meet new friends who are going thru ms mess.
Have an excellent day!
August 3rd, 2005 at 11:23 am
Missy and Timmy sittin’ in a tree………
August 3rd, 2005 at 12:02 pm
I have found that thru my meds. That to give attention is very hard at times. Doc says its a side affect. Someday someone will have to explain to me why I go to the doc to get better and he perscribes medicine to make me unfocused and confused as a side affect.
August 3rd, 2005 at 12:11 pm
It sometimes feels like the cure is worse than the disease, doesn’t it Bubba?? I know my weekly treatments leave me flat on my back with flu like side effects for 24-36hrs. Blah!
August 3rd, 2005 at 12:34 pm
Well, you know …
… hold on, phone …
anyway, as I was saying … wait a minute …
… did you see that? Now, what was I saying?
Oh yeah …
…uhm …
I forgot.
-G
August 3rd, 2005 at 5:33 pm
I would love to give you my undivided attention, but, just at this moment lightening lit up the sky - I shall return!!
August 3rd, 2005 at 6:06 pm
What a great post, Vickie! I am trying to be more focused but it seems I invariably end up doing about 20 things at one time. I need to slow that down and actually take the time to listen and celebrate people and things.
I’m doing a bit better…but there’s room for massive improvement.
Thanks for reminding me of good things!
August 3rd, 2005 at 7:17 pm
Hey girl, I could sure use this on the golf course! LOL! My mind is anywhere except on the ball! My mind wonders a lot, I have a hard time staying on one thing at a time!
August 4th, 2005 at 10:54 am
I really like this post, Vickie. I feel like my attention is divided among so many things during the school year and I have gads of attention I’m begging to give away during the summer when the kids are off doing their own thing. Great writing, friend!