Pay attention. Be careful what you trade away. What do I mean by this?
First, learning to pay attention to yourself and others is a wonderful guideline for your life.
Because I listened to a podcast recently on this topic, I wanted to put it into my own words.
As I listened to him speak, I was reminded of something that happened several years ago, while staying with my parents in Toledo.
It was one of those moments that stay with you.
I still get emotional as I think about it.
You see, I was looking at my iPhone, and my mom began to talk to me. I didn’t put it down right away.
She was very hurt and let me know it.
Mom said, “Connie, you’re looking at your phone way too much and not paying attention to what I’m saying”.
Whew!
Basically, a huge wake up call I will never forget, and it never happened again.
This August will be five years since she passed away. I miss her every day.
Furthermore, as I notice others in my life doing the same thing, it really bothers me. Not paying attention.
Consequently, when I’m with my grandkids, I keep my phone in my purse on the dining room table at their home.
Since they notice everything, I’m acutely aware that I’m paying attention to them.
The pod caster went on to say, “Put your phone down. Hold their hand a little longer as you say no to something else that doesn’t matter as much.
Life is made of all the tiny moments. Not just all the big moments. What you trade your time away for, doesn’t give you refunds.
Since the world is always quietly rearranging itself, you may not notice.
At times, you trade being really present to just get through the day.
Trading time may not cost you right away, only as it goes on, it’s compounded.”
So learn to pay attention. Then when the years have passed, you can feel like you chose not to trade away your time.
Lastly, am I perfect at always being present and paying attention? No I’m not.
Only, I do my best to be in the present moment.
Would it help if I was honest with those in my life that tend to look at their phone constantly?
As a result of my being honest with them, I hope they will learn to pay attention. So, then they won’t need to live with it costing them as time goes on.
What are your thoughts about all of this?
Leave me a comment or send me an email. I’d like to hear what you have to say.
With love and attention,
Connie
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