Attention
There are two competing mindsets which we all face: Attention vs Autopilot. I have not taken the importance of attention seriously. The result of this, without any intention, is inevitably autopilot. After reading Cal Newport's book ‘Deep Work’ and following a few other people talking about this topic I have come to realise the importance of this ability and how much of it I lack.
The reason for this lack of attention, not only in me but I am sure a large amount of our population is glaringly evident: The rise of technology and more specifically the smartphone paired with its important companion, social media. In this age it's difficult to go seconds without jumping from one thing to the next. I sit for a couple of moments in silence and my brain searches desperately for something, commanding my body to pick up my phone and fill the void and discomfort.
Attention it would seem is the prerequisite for most things that hold value. Anything which has ever been created would have required a high level of attention. It would have required putting away distraction, dying to any instant gratification and disciplining the mind into focusing on this creation. All of us I believe have this ability, however it is needed and utilised less and less these days. The world and its economy rely on providing value for others and therefore the attention of each and every individual to provide that value. If the commodity of attention is decreasing, so will the level of value which each person will provide.
Another important aspect of attention, one which I am recently discovering is mood. I had never figured out that where I place my attention is so intertwined with how I feel and what my mood will be. This is in fact a very biblical concept which is evident throughout the bible, for example Psalm 63 vs 5-8, Psalm 1 vs 2 and Phillippians 4 vs 8. This last verse is a perfect example of where our attention should be and how that would shape our life. We are called to focus on what is true, honourable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise. If this is what our minds are full of, how would we feel and act? To be honest, my mind is usually focused on whatever is negative, a problem, difficult and worthy of a good grumble. I believe now that the way I feel, always exhausted and downcast is a direct consequence of this pattern of thinking. It is becoming more evident through research in neuroscience that our thoughts can directly affect our physiology, both in a negative and positive way. This seemed to have been understood thousands of years ago when in the psalms we are constantly reminded to meditate on God and his law, that this would result in delight. This makes sense as God is all things good. Thinking of him often can only positively affect the neural circuitry in our brains. This is also shown when Paul explains where our attention should be in his letter to the Phillippians.
Where we place our attention is where we hold our value, what we choose to feel and how we choose to act. These things are more in our control than we choose to believe. Autopilot is the enemy of well placed attention, we have to wake up and take back control of what we value and how we choose to be in this world.