I struggle to truly find it sometimes…attention and deep connections. I have been reading a book called Deep Work by Cal Newport. It talks about the difference between the deep work and shallow work. Deep work is both challenging and meaningful.
He describes shallow work as the everyday tasks like checking email, social media and responding to texts.
It was eye opening to see how little deep work time I create in my day because sometimes I feel like I am drifting or just responding to the needs of others.
This gets draining, irritating and frustrating. I know I can do better but it is the realization as well that the right structures help. As soon as I am bored I check my phone scroll through various apps and then don’t feel so great.
Cal has a lot of great tips and tools in the book so I am figuring out what I can put into practice because sometimes it is easy to go to extremes that aren’t sustainable.
As I write this morning, it is in the moments of deep work like truly sitting down to write something important that is soothing. I guess I am in my own journey of what it means to pay attention. It feels like every where I go someone or something wants my attention.
If I am someone that really cares about people how do I see someone or what they care about but also do it for myself? I know I will always grapple with this and the idea of boundaries. But it just feels very hard sometimes.
Attention is a gift. It is a gift when someone is paying attention to you. I am concerned we are bringing up a generation without the ability to focus on seeing something through. Because our society is structured around shallow work practices.
I watch myself start and stop tasks or mindlessly scroll at night on my phone. Time and attention is precious.
I don’t know why I am writing this today…just to write really. And to start my own journey of really feeling what it is like to just pay attention.
It seems to me that the human brain can only handle so much. It truly takes courage, time and attention to reveal the depths of one’s potential.
And if I am being truly honest I believe our deepest contributions come from the soul. So this is hard and it takes great courage.
Because I think sometimes we are scared of what we are capable of or what might come out. Will it conform or fit or will I still be cared for?
As I get older I realize more and more that this doesn’t matter. I don’t control or am not responsible for what people think but that is easier said then done. Many times it is just easier to not pay attention to my soul, be distracted or focused on something else to keep putting off what I am capable of.
But only I can be responsible for my own soul. I believe if I honor my soul then I will honor yours too. Because we truly are each other. Maybe as I walk on my journey you will too and then from time to time we will bump into each other.
Isn’t it fun to just bump into someone and you weren’t expecting it? Maybe as you and I pay attention more, our souls will bump into each other.
