Reflections

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  1. Ose
    Ose
    2 months ago

    I don´t know. I met my friends tonight for dinner and we met in full attention to each other, as wie usually do,. Also in my daily work, encounters are essentially guided by full attention, enriching our being together.and as far as what people convey to me, many feel seen and heard. Here in the net? This to me feels different. To give full attention vice versa implicits to surrender to be visible only usually not with the real name, vulnerable, attackable, being looked at, judged, may be envied or finding someone or myself stuck in frozen emotions, images of self, behaviour, I-centered. Age-long non-sense giving ourselves a false personality existence. with which we then struggle all our life and with each other, and in the same time when listening deeply to the inside, finding that we are just dust in the wind. To let go of the stories instead of cementing them by telling stories as if true would be a possibility, like Antoinette tries to. Thank you for your seeing it and your true effort, dear Antoinette. Hoping to be able to meet you as dust in the wind one day, embracing all in genuine Love and Peace. Really hoping this. With love for you all, although this might not sound like. May be i am even completely wrong. Blessings to you all.

    1. Joseph
      Joseph McCann
      2 months ago

      No right or wrong by expressing your true and genuine self. Maybe we will all meet as dust in the wind one day, dear Ose.

  2. Robin Ann
    Robin Ann
    2 months ago

    My job most days is very busy so I am limited with many encounters. I worked from home also today so any encounter was thru Instant messaging with my co-workers.

    I haven’t been on here lately much, so many of the same questions it seems. I also was spending time with my daughter who came up from Florida for several days. We really lucked out with some nice weather in the high 70’s with low humidity.

    1. Michele
      Michele
      2 months ago

      I’m glad you are enjoying time with your daughter – I’ve noticed your absence and figured it was bc of this. I also agree about so many of the same questions too.

  3. sparrow51014
    sparrow
    2 months ago

    There is a man,
    middle aged, perhaps Latino . . .
    he works at the local coffee shop where I meet a friend once a week.
    Every day,
    rain, shine,
    sleet or snow,
    he is there,
    methodically mopping the floors,
    washing the windows,
    inside and out.
    He keeps to himself
    and does not seem to make eye contact with anyone,
    or talk to anyone,
    even when the stray denigrating comment by a customer
    reaches his ears.
    I caught him off guard the other day though,
    and our eyes connected . . .
    so surprised was I
    that I broke out into a big smile,
    which he returned in kind.
    That split-second
    made my whole day,
    and I think maybe it made his day too.
    We human beings
    need to connect . . .
    we need human contact.
    That man
    is not a robot.
    I think I needed the connection
    at least as much as he did,
    as it always pains me when I see him each week . . .
    he looks so alone.

    I gave him my full attention
    because I needed him to know he is not invisible.
    What might change–
    what WILL change
    if I give my full attention to people I come in contact with
    is that when this happens
    we all feel a little more seen,
    we all see a little more in each other,
    and the more we begin to realize
    that we are all a little more connected.
    And the web can expand exponentially . . .
    kind of like paying it forward. ♥

    1. D
      Drea
      2 months ago

      Aww, what a beautiful moment Sparrow. Thank you for sharing.

      1. sparrow51014
        sparrow
        2 months ago

        It was well worth the wait,
        dear Drea . . . ♥

    2. Mary
      Mary
      2 months ago

      An encounter like that would have made my day too, Sparrow.
      Like ice breaking in the warmth of your smiles.
      A very warm encounter. ♥️♥️♥️

      1. sparrow51014
        sparrow
        2 months ago

        It really is amazing,
        dear Mary,
        what a smile can do,
        isn’t it? 🙂

  4. Barb C
    Barb C
    2 months ago

    Probably should have read this before logging on for a 2+ hour meeting on a big research project. When I did give full attention I had ideas and questions, I contributed, listened and learned. When I allowed myself to do something else alongside the content people were sharing I know I missed some things.

    In the morning I feel a distinct difference in the energy of my time with my husband if I give him my full attention. We spend a few minutes together every morning. Sometimes it’s focused attention and we talk about things beyond our schedule check that’s always a part of it, sometimes we’re sitting together drinking coffee, maybe looking at something else. Sometimes we’re in the same space, but less “together” than if we bring that level of attention. I think I’ll talk with him about attention and what he feels from me (not putting him on the spot about his own level of attention). We spend so much of every day in the same house that it’s easy to slide past, doing our own things, secure in the knowledge that we love each other. I don’t want to take our time together for granted; it has no guaranteed length.

    1. Mary
      Mary
      2 months ago

      My husband and I each have our own interests and do a lot independently.
      I have to remember to keep romance alive.
      As you said, Barb, we have no guarantee as to how long we have together.

    2. Joseph
      Joseph McCann
      2 months ago

      Easy to slide past, but a passing caress of my hand or of my lovely wife Cheryl’s hand to me, helps to keep the connection alive. Thank you for the reminder Barb.

    3. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      2 months ago

      ”I don’t want to take our time together for granted; it has no guaranteed length.”

      I keep this in mind,
      dear Barb,
      every single day,
      and say a little prayer
      every night when my husband
      comes home to me. ♥

      1. Mary
        Mary
        2 months ago

        I feel this too, Sparrow, so much more strongly than I did when my husband and I were younger.

  5. Mary
    Mary
    2 months ago

    If I give my full attention to everyone I encounter today I might learn something that I otherwise wouldn’t have known. When conversing, I sometimes think of what I will say next, instead of staying completely with the speaker. I will make the effort to stick with the speaker and let my other thoughts go. Thank you for this question.

    1. D
      Deann
      2 months ago

      I catch myself doing this way to often. Thank you for bringing it up. I too will work on it.

      1. Mary
        Mary
        2 months ago

        🥰

  6. Cathie
    Cathie
    2 months ago

    If I pay full attention to everyone today, I may gain a new paradigm with which to experience the world.

  7. Yram
    Yram
    2 months ago

    I don’t know if there will be a change in the other person, but it will make me feel connected and proud that I cared.

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      2 months ago

      There will be a change in the other person,
      dear Yram . . .
      you might not see it,
      but there will be a change. ♥

    2. L
      Loc Tran
      2 months ago

      Yram, I resignate with your answer. Expecting nothing in return is the key. For example, I want others to comment more on my answer, I must participate more on theirs. But however, I came in just to show care. No agendas. Eventually, the replies came in from left to right.

  8. Carol Ann Conner
    Carol Ann Conner
    2 months ago

    Such a practice would be very helpful in being and staying in the moment instead of journeying into the past or future.

    1. L
      Loc Tran
      2 months ago

      Carol Ann, it’s very easy to wonder off. I’ve found the meditation practices on the Soothing Pod App Ngoc recommended to me a couple years ago helping with that. All the exercises emphasizes paying attention to the breath and getting back to the present moment.

  9. Charlie T
    Charlie T
    2 months ago

    I am pretty good at being present and giving people my attention, but, when I’m working, I will interact with many people and in the interest of getting my job done, I have to be careful about where I put my attention. Sadly, this means that I must measure out my attention and decide what is important in the moment. Of course, my little family and my workmate will get as much attention as I can give them. Now, on days when I have the benefit of time, I love to meet people and learn their stories and attempt to listen with intention.

  10. D
    Drea
    2 months ago

    Working from home today, so in all honesty, I expect others’ attention to be split by phones and devices. I don’t know that my full attention will have value as I go about my day. But I could go out and see, and prove myself wrong or not.

  11. L
    Loc Tran
    2 months ago

    To put in a nutshell, everyone benefits. It’s a win win situation.

  12. Patti
    sunnypatti
    2 months ago

    I make an effort to do this every day because I know how it feels not to have someone’s full attention when you should. I know that it will help others feel seen and heard, perhaps that they matter, and perhaps even make their day a little brighter – I know when someone gives that to me, it feels good, and everyone deserves to feel good.

    Happy Friday, friends 🙂

    1. Michele
      Michele
      2 months ago

      100% agree with you 🙂

    2. Joseph
      Joseph McCann
      2 months ago

      Yes indeed SunnyPatti!

    3. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      2 months ago

      You’re so right,
      dear SunnyPatti . . .
      everyone deserves to feel good. 🙂

    4. Mary
      Mary
      2 months ago

      All so true, SunnyPatti!

    5. D
      Drea
      2 months ago

      It’s heartwarming to hear that you prioritize this every day, Sunnypatti.

  13. D
    Deann
    2 months ago

    I can learn more about each person. My action could be payed forward and they give the same to others. Kindness, understanding, validation could be a little stronger in the world today. It would be small but in today’s world every smile given to a stranger could make a difference.

    1. D
      Drea
      2 months ago

      “It would be small but in today’s world every smile given to a stranger could make a difference.” I was volunteering at a homeless shelter yesterday, and a woman whose life situation just recently got stabilized said something very close to what you said. She said a smile from someone can make her day.

      1. Joseph
        Joseph McCann
        2 months ago

        It always helps make my day when smiles are share between strangers.

  14. Joseph
    Joseph McCann
    2 months ago

    The people I would be interacting with will be heard, seen and they and their words will have validation. Our daughter, grandkids and son-in-law will be here this afternoon. I will give them my full attention. Peace and love.

    1. Michele
      Michele
      2 months ago

      Enjoy time with your family Joseph.

    2. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      2 months ago

      If you didn’t have a family,
      dear Joseph,
      you might not know what you are missing . . .
      twice blessed,
      you have a family to be grateful for . . .
      enjoy. 🙂

    3. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol Ann Conner
      2 months ago

      Wishing you the best visit with family ever!

    4. D
      Drea
      2 months ago

      Enjoy your time with family, Joseph.

  15. Michele
    Michele
    2 months ago

    I do not know what might change but as I move through my day I will keep this in mind.
    Happy Friday everyone 🙂

    1. L
      Loc Tran
      2 months ago

      Michele, it’s very easy to get distracted on our devices these days. I’m glad this question came up.

      1. D
        Drea
        2 months ago

        I found myself wondering whether the power of my full attention will lure someone off their device. I’m not as shiny or addictive or endorphin-inducing, but maybe there’s some silent power to human attention that could even override a device.

        1. Joseph
          Joseph McCann
          2 months ago

          Some words to ponder Drea, “. . . . . some silent power to human attention . . . . “. Thank you.

        2. sparrow51014
          sparrow
          2 months ago

          I do believe,
          dear Drea,
          that there is ‘some silent power to human attention
          that could even override a device.’
          In the end,
          I think most people
          would have the full attention of a human being
          than the artificial attention of a device. ♥

          1. D
            Drea
            2 months ago

            I agree. Sometimes I forget that truth.

        3. L
          Loc Tran
          2 months ago

          Drea, I’m like you. Fortunately, we’re not as addictive. To answer your question, yes. I know Ngoc has talked before about spending too much time on her device. Just my full attention has worked before in steering her away from the screen. Therefore, it goes to show that silent power goes a long ways. Even better, just like me, she also shows a strong desire to improve her well-being too.

          1. D
            Drea
            2 months ago

            That’s encouraging that your attention has worked to distract even from a screen. Maybe they’re not as powerful as I sometimes think they are.

    2. Christina Rossi75270
      Christina
      2 months ago

      Michele, I’m with you. I’m going to Mass today and I will think of this. Thanks all!

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