I must learn to focus - Don't Be A Wage Slave

We all hear that the world is an interesting and exciting place. This is even more true today with the advent of the Internet. We are washed over with a never-ending stream of information and ideas, of course, not all good. So, the quest becomes to make sense of the endless stream of knowledge. It is not an easy task.

We find ourselves suddenly awake at 20 or so and thrust into the raging river of life. How do I acquire the skill set to truly grasp the significance of the information or data streaming past me? That can only be achieved through discipline and self-control — also skills I must be educated in. A major action to assist me on my path is the power of concentration. I must begin to focus on the world around me: the bugs, the bees, the dogs, and the people — and direct my gaze to how they function and interact with me.

Martin Buber is famous for his distinction between the I and the thou, the you. (1) His major concern being that we mostly have an I-it relationship with the world external to me. In other words, other forms of life are mostly inconsequential. Most things external to me have little to no significance.

My knowledge and sensitivity to life itself will bring these beings closer to me, to my understanding. In this way, I humanize the world and become, in the truest sense, a vehicle for love and compassion. (2)

A little story: the other day I was out for a lengthy walk with my friend Dave. Snails tend to move around after the rain — perhaps it is cooler and more comfortable. We were walking along and I chanced to glance down at this snail slowly making his way across — what would appear to him — an enormous mass of sidewalk. You were immediately transported to the story of Plato’s cave. In the story, the enslaved and shackled prisoners thought that the shadows they saw projected on the wall in front of them were real. (3)

Without sounding too esoteric, this old story makes us question what is accurate in life and focus on what is truly real. This then becomes my journey: to literally pay attention to the entirety of my vision all the time. If I learn to focus, a completely new way of seeing everything and everyone comes into view. The iconic writer, Marcel Proust, (4) leaves us with a thought: The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.

A closing thought: It is hard to pay attention. We are always so busy with distractions. If we consciously attempt to concentrate on our actions, however, we will notice that it is a much more interesting and dynamic world than we ever imagined.

To sum up: This week we spoke about learning how to focus on my life and my actions, and the attendant results.

To be noted: From Marcus Aurelius (5) — Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.

Just for fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjnKuhcfB6U&ab_channel=BATACHANDESU

For reflection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMrzdk_YnYY&ab_channel=TED

This week, on your thoughtful walk, please focus and deeply study the world around you.

Every day look for something magical and beautiful.

Don’t be a wage slave – critical thinking is great!

http://www.dbawageslave.com

Quote: By learning to focus, we open a respect for life.

Footnotes:

1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16Cr82mLhkw&t=24s&ab_channel=EricDodson

2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAxDjhCaNNk&t=652s&ab_channel=StoicRealms