Your Last Weekly Whisper…
by Vanessa Wesley
first published on May 12, 2008
Did you open the newsletter this week because the subject caught your attention? What? The last Weekly Whisper, why? What’s going on?
Well it isn’t exactly the last one. But it is the last one in this format as the Coaches Note above explains, yet it does bring up a good subject for this article.
What is it that captures your attention? And do you put your attention on something when you believe you might lose it, or it’s going away? In other words, what grabs your attention and holds it?
Marketing experts use a bunch of these kinds of “psychological triggers” to elicit response from their prospects and customers and put our attention where they want it. Several months ago, I wrote an article about how so often we operate by these habitual responses almost as if in a trance. What I’ve noticed is the marketing types will change the look of their product, or the message, or the colors, or the musical jingle to “wake up” the listener and get them to pay attention.
Attention is like a puppy. I have a friend who had a beautiful Cocker Spaniel and it was amazing to watch how she trained this pup. She kept it in its own cage lined with paper. Throughout the day she’d let him out to play and exercise, but he had only specific areas and rooms he was allowed in, and, she’d only let him out when she could give him her attention. When she had things to do, back in the cage he went.
The older and more trained the dog became, the more he would follow her commands. It was fascinating to visit her and watch how well-behaved this dog had become, yet playful and healthy. Our attention needs training much like this puppy; otherwise it runs amuck knocking over the china and glassware.
What is your attention on these days? Do you know? Opening awareness is akin to training attention. Attention wanders. There is what your eyes are looking at, and there is what your mind is thinking, and often, these are totally different things. Untrained attention gets pulled in many directions. One day I asked my 16-year old daughter to bring me a glass of water. Fifteen minutes later I received the glass of water. Along the way she stopped and read a brochure, poured herself a glass of milk, put on her iPod, danced and sang in the kitchen, and dialed up her grandmother.
Sound familiar? One way to train your attention is to decide to intermittently place it on your inner sensations. You may, for example, decide to do this on the hour, or once in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Now why would this be important? How would it be beneficial to “train your attention”?
You have less distractions enabling you to stay focused and get more accomplished (i.e. a glass of water in 2 minutes instead of 15). You stay present more often and notice what is. You open to what is vibrant and alive right there in front of you. You won’t “miss your life”.
You become aware of inner sensations recognizing guidance and information. You notice your habits and patterns and can begin to make changes.
Those are just of a few of the benefits you will experience when you give attention to your attention. By placing your attention on your inner sensations—the voice of the Whisper—you open your awareness to receiving inner guidance. Without the constant distractions of an untamed attention you are more likely to know what to do next, or when to wait.
