This week’s topic – attention. Why is it the only thing we really own and how important it is to guard it.
I realized something looking at the world around me.
Kings chased riches. Warriors sought fame. Scientists tried to extend their lives.
But when Death came for them, she always saw the same. Fear, regret, denial.
Money, time? None of them knew the true currency of life.
Until she came to a quiet mountain, to collect the soul of a monk.
He was already waiting.
He stood from his wooden chair, smiled gently, and bowed.
Death tilted her head. No fear. No pleading. No denial.
The monk simply turned, pointed to the horizon, and invited her to walk.
They watched the sunset together.
He noticed every flicker of light on the leaves. Every shift in the wind. He remembered every person he helped and every cup of tea he brewed.
He was aware. He decided himself what the important moments in life were – and he was present for every moment.
The only things that matter in life are those you pay attention to. Because you’re not really present for anything else.
***
What can we learn from this?
Time is more important than money. That’s what many would say. But time passes no matter what you do. It’s not really something you have.
The only thing you truly own is your attention. Every day, you decide what to spend it on.
And it might be more important than you realize. Not only is your future dependent on what you choose to pay attention to – it also shapes your perception of reality.
Pay attention to the negative things in life, and it will shape your view of the world. That’s why it can sometimes be bad to spend too much time on the news. They tend to attract viewers using the most shocking, usually negative, events. It can make you feel like you’re living through the end of the world.
Be mindful of this and guard your attention.
***
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