Pay Attention
As I reflect on the week that I’ve spent in the Dominican Republic, I can safely state that there’s no experience quite like people watching. I had the rare pleasure of watching people from all over the world, and one of the things I noticed was how little attention people were paying to the environment around them. I’d be willing to bet good money that no matter where you go on Earth; there will be people traipsing around without a clue, oblivious to what’s around them. It’s not just that people are stuck in their phones, bumping into any passerby, it’s that they neglect the things in their life, too. Tires, oil, bills, and minor responsibilities stack up in a corner or get swept under a rug because people aren’t bothering to pay attention. It just blows my mind, because I can’t imagine ever being so irresponsible.
I was always told growing up that there are three kinds of people: wolves, sheep, and sheepdogs. The monikers should seem fairly obvious, but I’ll explain: your average human being is a sheep. The sheep being inattentive, oblivious, and just following the crowd is prey to the wolf--who wants the sheep or what the sheep can offer. The sheepdogs are the ones who watch out for the wolves, always wary. You can’t be a sheepdog if you’re not paying attention to the world around you. Pay attention when someone opens a door in a convenience store. Pay attention to your finances, your checking account and your cash flow. There’s no excuse for ignorance or obliviousness. You overdraft at a three dollar coffee and ask yourself what happened, well, you weren’t paying attention.
It blows my mind at the lack of attention people pay to any detail. I’m sure you’ve heard someone say that they’ve had the wind knocked out of them, that’s what happens when you get taken by surprise, something that is sincerely avoidable if you pay attention. It takes a conscious effort to apply attention to the things in your life, trivial or important, because even the smallest detail can be crucial. Whether you’re driving on the road or watching your children play in the yard, just one check could mean sparing you an accident or major expense. Remain vigilant; the one detail you notice could make all the difference.
