Reflections

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  1. Robin Ann

    My work involves helping Medicaid member’s with their plans which could involve many different issues that are called into our Member services lines. Maybe I am helping a cancer patient that’s plan was termed or someone needs their urgent medications. It can be very hectic but very rewarding as well.

    I am also very attentive to my daughter’s needs right now. She needs me to be her advocate and so I am there for her.

    9 months ago
  2. O.Christina

    Guess it would increase being present with all my heart and that the other might feel be seen and heard and listened to. It might help to open a door to connection, to understanding, to being friends; meeting strangers passing by with a smile and imagining offering a rose to them as a sign of my gratitude for their being here with me; giving a coin to the street musicians and looking into their eyes, if possible, to connect and expressing my ears and soul resonate and my gratitude for their contribution to beauty; to my neighbor, appreciating the wonderful result of his careful maintenance of our garden which natural beauty invites passers by to stop, look and become more relaxed or joyful for a moment; so much opportunities to be with others in heart´s exchange right in the very moment.

    9 months ago
  3. Nannette

    I read todays quote and question this morning before venturing into “town”. Unlike most others…unless I go to town; I usually never see anyone else during the day- expcept my husband…and if lucky the UPS man!! We live in a very rural area…and our home is tucked away. Even if I walk outside our property…I would be surprised to meet someone else. BUT!! today I was going grocery shopping…and I kept this question in mind. Everyone that I had an interaction with…I gave my full attention…and told them “Thank you…Thank you for your help…Thank you for what you do”…they all reacted with a smile and a few with surprise. I am the one who benefited…I felt so happy…and it made my often trudgerous job so much better. I was thrilled with this question. Blessings to you all…and THANK YOU for being here…you always make my day better.

    9 months ago
  4. Emmaleah

    I have the opportunity to make a genuine human connection 😊

    9 months ago
  5. Stephanie

    I will feel present, more alive and happy in my heart ❤️ maybe someone will need that eye contact or a smile 😊

    9 months ago
  6. Barb C

    They may feel without recognizing precisely why that they are fully seen and heard, and this may shift the energy and connection in our encounter. Perhaps this focused attention will be reciprocated. I have a meeting starting about a quarter-hour from now and I will carry this intention into that.

    9 months ago
    1. Barb C

      Being fully present in all my meetings will also mean that I fall further behind in the email backlog….

      9 months ago
  7. Charlie T

    Ah, the intention of attention. I love it.
    You never know what will happen, but
    maybe my awareness will expand and
    I will get off my little hamster wheel
    for a minute and invite connection into
    my daily routine.

    9 months ago
  8. Carol

    Today’s reflection from Richard Rohr says so much about how we relate to others and to everything. I share the link below. Hope you will take time to read it. Talk about full attention! Hope the link comes through. If not, I think you could paste it in your browser.

    https://cac.org/daily-meditations/living-from-the-larger-mind-2023-07-14/

    9 months ago
    1. Eeevvv

      Thank you, I didn’t know about this site, it looks very nice!

      9 months ago
      1. Carol

        EEEVV, I receive the Center for Action and Contemplation’s Daily Meditation in my inbox each day. When you visit the site you can click on the daily meditation and just read it there if the topic interests you. I’ve enjoyed the site for years and spent a few months as a work intern there many years ago.

        9 months ago
        1. Yram

          I also visit the site daily. His message often resonates with me. Thank you for sharing.

          9 months ago
  9. Maeve

    When I do, I am the one who benefits. I often find out something interesting and sometimes amazing. It broadens my world view. Yesterday I had an interaction with a couple who adopted 3 young children from S. America. A dedicated and loving couple. What a profound difference they have made !

    9 months ago
  10. Yram

    This question implies I/we don’t fully give attention. Since I have joined this site, I really try and have most times succeeded. The change I see is, I feel calmer, my mind is less rattled, the folks are more open and at ease. Sometimes, the person receiving the attention, sees their issue as important or less urgent.

    9 months ago
  11. Carla

    I live in a very urban setting. I often give my attention of a warm welcoming smile and wave to the signer (panhandler) on busy intersections. Sometimes I’ll buy a case of water bottles to give out too. Interacting with others who’re strangers in my path, does create a ripple of good chi in this world we all cohabitate on.

    9 months ago
    1. Robin Ann

      That is a great idea to give out water bottles.

      9 months ago
      1. Michele

        It’s a shame our country doesn’t follow other European countries by having free water fountains. Just more plastic going into our oceans.

        9 months ago
      2. Carla

        Thanks. Many are chronic inebriates and dehydrated. And it’s a hot summer everywhere, we all need water 😉

        9 months ago
  12. Rabbit

    I read a book once that started out like this: “The best way to show someone you love them is to pay attention to them.” Using this thinking, we could help people feel loved and that could bring more peace and make everything better.

    9 months ago
  13. sunnypatti

    Perhaps I will learn something new, but I do know that I will definitely be able to fully feel the Universal energy that we all share 💫

    9 months ago
  14. Kevin

    I want to believe that I give everyone I meet in the course of my day my full attention. As a “people person” (whatever that means!) engaging with folks in all kinds of settings comes naturally for me, and I enjoy it.

    But I also suggest that we never give everyone we meet our full attention on a daily basis, not because we don’t want to, but because it isn’t necessary, nor desired by both parties depending on the circumstances. Sometimes, our “full attention” is getting somewhere quickly, through public transportation, through an airport, or to and from work because people on either end are depending on us.

    9 months ago
    1. Barb C

      I’m reminded of a moment leaving a movie theater in downtown Seattle with my husband and my younger daughter. We passed a man on the sidewalk holding a sign. My daughter stopped, went back, looked him straight in the eye, and said, “I see you.”
      The words on his sign read, “Do you see me?”

      9 months ago
      1. Kevin

        Leave it to children to speak the truth in the moment it’s called for. Your daughter likely made that man’s day.

        I generally make it a point to pause and speak with homeless people on the street, or at least to make eye contact and say hello as I’m walking by. Many follow with their eyes as you’re about to walk by, waiting for any possible connection, however so brief.

        9 months ago
      2. Robin Ann

        awe!

        9 months ago
    2. Rabbit

      Maybe that would be when you gave your full attention for that moment for that reason. I am thinking this refers to someone we are interacting with not every stranger in our surroundings. I like to say something like, “Thank you for what you do” to people like the grocery check or the person at the desk at the doctor’s office. We all play a part in each other’s lives, and we can make someone’s day better by just noticing them.

      9 months ago
  15. Laura

    I would certainly change. Giving full attention would probably make each encounter richer, and it would take the focus off of me. I might also learn something about the other person. Receiving my full attention might also help the other person’s day feel a little more buoyant. I know I appreciate feeling heard and understood.

    9 months ago
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