Pay attention – my new skill

To pay attention feels like a game-changer. This seemingly simple practice may even be a life-changer. But I’m still experimenting with new-to-me concepts – and I’m excited and hopeful.

When I Googled ‘pay attention’ I found a number of articles with instructions about paying attention. Some described simple steps to learn and practice. Others described the importance of the skill in work situations and in prayer.

Read more: Pay attention – my new skill

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) was also the focus of a number of pieces. There’s an excellent article about ADHD from the Mayo Clinic here .

But to really pay attrention is different from all of these.

Pay attention to the detail

Most of us, most of the time, pay attention to those things that interest us. We’re aware of our families, friends, co-workers and clients. We watch our favourite television programs with interest, and show at least enough concern to get by at work.

Sometimes, however, we skimp on the attention we give things. We multi-task and try to do too many things at once. Or we’re distracted by new messages on our phones or our thoughts for example. This can lead to inattention, even neglect and carelessness.

The need to focus

My longing to focus more deeply has been greatly influenced by two of my passions that have been stimulated over the past few months. Writing in all its forms intrigued me from my early childhood, but I put serious writing on hold over ten years ago.

Neuroplasticity, the ability for our brains to repair themselves after injury and to continue to grow throughout our lives fascinates me. I first discovered the concept while writing my PhD Thesis.

Part of the thesis is a memoir published as a book, Other People’s Country. The rest is an ‘exegisis’ – a 40 000 word essay about an aspect of the creative writing process. The topic I chose was how we remember and tell our stories so that we are reliable narrators.

Both neuroplasticity and writing require considerable concentration. My commitment to life-long learning now leads me to pursue both.

I’ve discovered that attention and concentration help to make everything we do more meaningful, interesting and just better. It has improved my life.

A few of the many things I’ve paid close attention to over the past few months,

Neuroplasticity

We know that if we want to keep on top of our game as we age, we need to look after our physical health (exercise, healthy diet, not too much grog, no smoking). As well, we need to do some of the following:

• Socialise
• Make art or do crafts
• Garden
• Solve puzzles
• Learn new things
• Travel
• Memorise lists or phone numbers etc
• Read
• Perform tasks with our non dominant hand.

The list is long.

Theories of neuroplasticity provide reasons for doing all the things we’re told to do. They explain how the brain responds to new experiences and learning. Learning, especially a musical instrument or a new language, but everything else we try or study, can help our brains to stay in good condition as we age.

To learn, to create and to enjoy games and puzzles we must pay attention.

Writing

Quite by accident, I discovered Writing in the Dark, an amazing online community of writers of all expertise and experience led by writer, teacher and editor,Jeannine Ouellette.

I played on the edges of what Writing in the Dark offered. Then I completed one of the intensive series and can’t wait for the next that begins in August.

I’ve begun to learn how to pay attention to everyday things and to write about them by looking at ‘the thing itself’ and to write what Jeannine calls ‘shimmers and shards’. These are tiny (40 word) descriptions without comparison, attached memories, judgements or adjectives.

Jeannine describes them this way:

Shimmers and shards are simply a collection of “sticky things” you notice and describe briefly in succinct concrete detail.”

You can read more about shimmers and shards here.

Can you pay attention?

Noticing ordinary things is not only for writers. I’d love to think that other people, including readers of this blog, spent a few minutes every day looking closely at, paying attention to, everyday things. No need to write (but a deeper experience if you do).

This practise changed my life, even in the short time I’ve done it. It feels like awe, which you can read about in my blog here. So far, I have written very little, although a few pieces of poetry have emerged from my close examination of a few things.

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