The Flashlight of Our Attention

Flashlight of Attention

There was not a lot of good news this week around the world, and some of it was unspeakable. In fact, there are several uncontrollable things I want to complain about, and I would like to climb up on my soapbox and complain away. But I won’t.

Why?

Because what we pay attention to becomes our life, and we end up increasing our suffering.

Before you give up on me, please hear me out.

I am not talking about burying my head in the sand and pretending everything is fine. No. No. No. That is not what I am writing about. When things go wrong, I want to do my part, stay informed, and see what action I can take.

But if that is the only thing I do, I will soon despair. As I have written before, our default is to notice what’s wrong. Furthurmore, we want to play an active role in our lives and communities to mitigate, influence, and turn over every stone to improve a situation.

Yet

There is something else we all carry with us that is equally as important—the flashlight of our attention. It is our magic wand that we always have access to, just like our breath. We can choose to point our flashlight of attention into a different corner of our lives—maybe turn on the floodlight and see what else happened this week.

So that’s what I am doing here. I am reminding myself that all these other everyday miracles happened.

This wonderful flashlight does not diminish the awfulness of situations. It does, however, balance out the seesaw so we can gain momentary relief, comfort and strength to face whatever needs facing.

That flashlight can help us avoid sliding off the cliff as we seek out ways to restore our hearts so we can be there for those who need us.

I find it helpful to go looking for small moments of joy. By turning the flashlight of my attention outwards in the place where I find myself, I begin to notice the beauty of nature, my neighbours, and many helping hands.

For instance,

Here are a few things:

• This photo of grandson Jonathan and my great grandaughters Evelyn and Isabelle (18 months)

• Sun sparkling on the mountain of snow in my daughter’s backyard.

• Making a batch of homemade granola – instigated by my grandson before he went away for five days – fulfilled by me. Truth is I felt joy when the aroma began wafting from the oven and I imagined his surprise when he saw that I did it. (he was not convinced that I would.) Plus it is my favourite granola too.

• As I looked at the kitchen island I saw paints, pencils, art books and everything I needed to stick with my 12 minutes a day. This 30-day program has brought unexpected joy.

• Ted Talk on Your Elusive Creative Genius by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray Love, which I have never read. My art teacher recommeneded (as does James Clear. author of Atomic Habits) it as one of the most watched talks (over 21 million views.) It is a little woo wooish and I loved it. And I laughed. And I made notes.

• A spontaneous set of conversations with a friend to discuss an idea she is working on. It was fun, rejuevenating and sparked all kinds of other ideas.

• The coffee shop at the end of the street where I could get a coffee each morning since I forget to get instructions as to how to use the espresso machine at my daughter’s.

• A very friendly dog Sasha and a beautiful cat Ryan who kept me company during the snowstorm.

• My son-in-law, daughter and grandson dug out my car from a mountain of dense snow and then came over to my house and shoveled a path and the steps. Plus they carried all my bags.

• Yesterday a friend read me a new poem and then I called another friend and read it to her. Now I will post it here for you. Original thanks goes back  to Janice Falls, Heart Poems. who discovered this poet for us.

These are only a few moments of my flashlight report. I am already feeling better as I reflect on my last couple of days. Thanks for your company.

Make the best of where you are, and don’t hesitate to take out the flashlight of your attention and shine it around to see what else is true.

The Poem –

Notes

1:) I wondered what I would write about tonight and I am glad I thought of this exercise because I have rebounded. Maybe you too will find it helpful.

2:) The banner photo is a very old and favourite photo of mine; it was taken one cold winter outside Calgary. Thank you Gottfried.

3:) I hope you are managing. I am sending all my best wishes, especially strength, courage and wonderful reasons to get up in the morning.

4:) Thank you for stopping by. I am grateful for each one of you. Warmly, Trudy