may i have your attention

               

                At church yesterday my pastor began his sermon by pointing out that one of the things in our fast-paced lives we most crave from others is attention.  Between Twitter, Facebook, the instant updates and 24/7 streaming there are a million things pining for our attention at all times.  Just check out your to-do lists… mine are humongous and constantly growing.  I’m a multi-tasker like you’ve never seen.  I can talk to a friend, make dinner, do the laundry and walk my dog all at the same time.  I know right – I’m good. But is that really good?  Am I truly present when I am doing any of this?  Or am I just marching through the day and then poof – it’s over.  Sure at times I need the multi-tasking – I need my head to be processing 5 things at once.  But then there are other times, like dinner with my husband, or a phone call with my mom, that require my undivided attention.  They require that I step away from technology – from the world – and just be present.  Present with them, present for them and for me.  I sometimes get frustrated with my hubby when I want to have a serious conversation and the T.V.’s on (disclaimer: I consider any conversation I have with my husband serious, even if it’s about what I should wear to a part tomorrow night… another something I’m working on).  I know he’s not really watching the T.V., and I know he is listening to everything I say, but that’s not enough sometimes.  I need to feel like I’m the only thing in the room – the only thing in the world – that has his attention at that very moment.  So this week as I head off to the mundaneness that some Mondays can bring, I will freely give my attention to the people in my life.  Whether it’s a co-worker that needs me to stop and listen to a worry or trouble, or to my dad talking about his Monday night racquetball jaunts.  I am grateful for their attention and I will give them mine…