Had to return book to lib. -this review is unfinished. I want to go over more of her useful and salient points.
This excellent book is all about attention - what you pay attention to - and asserts that it determines your quality of life and your future.
Attention comes in two flavors - bottoms up (what is grabbing my attention now) and top down (what do I choose to pay attention to).
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The more detail you notice, the easier it is to pay attention to something. Notice texture, different viewpoints, smell, sound, grain, composition, elements, relationships. etc. (p138)
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The Afterword sums up what She got from writing this book:
- "Rapt attention is life, at least at it's best."
- Take pains to ensure electronic media and machines aren't in charge of our attention.
- Shield oneself from distractions when focused attention is required. Remember the fortune-cookie principle: "Nothing is as important as I think it is when I'm focusing on it." This cuts both ways...
- Do mundane chores differently to help focus.
- When you can't understand what someone has said or done, remember that they focus on different things than we do. Ask for explanation or try to see from their point.
- How we feel affects how we pay attention, and vice-versa.
= For negative feelings, focus on other things; break that cycle of negative attention.
"Heaven or Hell? it all depends on what we focus on."
