To pay attention

 

To dare to open new doors and pay attention. It can be a very scary thought to step out of one's comfort zone and start something new. The journey to self is the most frightening one. We have to face ourselves as we are, what if we find something we do not like. 

People do take classes and attend meditational gatherings, go on vacation and eat well at restaurants. They pay all with some currency, take photos and post those online. And let the real moment pass by.  Some people truly feel that they have acquired something huge over a one-weekend intense course and believe that gathering certificates from all over without really PAYING for the teaching with their ATTENTION is actually learning. Let's stop here and start fresh. First, let's focus on the beginning.  

What means to pay attention?  It means putting effort into learning and focusing on the task at hand. It means that since one can only focus and give full attention to one matter at a time it is a payment worth one's time. If one chooses to take part in something and not pay attention, time is most likely wasted and not at all well spent. If one gets credited for something without having to pay attention, then the credit is purely for time, not gained knowledge. Why anyone would take part in learning, but not pay attention? Because the goal becomes more important than the journey, the certificate more important than the knowledge and most of all because we people learn at a young age to become very task-orientated. 

I wish more people would dare to learn. To take that first step by admitting that there is a lot to learn and we do not know everything. Take a look into a mirror and admit "I do not know everything". For only then there is the possibility to learn and grow. The old saying about the full teacup is too true nowadays with so many, and for many - only out of fear. What fear you might be thinking. There are many different fears that are blocking the path to learning, all that seems to be protecting our ego. Fear of being left out, a fear of showing weakness and for that being turned down, a fear of being looked at as stupid, and the greatest fear - of learning something that makes one's choices in the past look bad and then opening a door to the possibility of doubt in oneself. Is it not great to understand that NOBODY knows everything about everything and in that case we all are equal? Those who dare to learn, grow wise and those who dare not will remain the same.