Your Attention

Birds, squirrels, deer or other critters who are out in the world are almost always scanning their environment for danger. Their brain is building a model of the world they observe, listen to, and smell that keeps them safe. It's actually really striking when they relax for a minute or two--in those moments they seem really human. In the summer, for example, on really hot days, I've seen squirrels stretch out on the ground and take a break like they're at a person at the beach.

Human beings are, for the most part, in a safe environment. For example, we don't scan the sky for predators that might swoop in from a tree top. Our attention is freed up from survival and with some discipline we can decide what to do with it. We can spend our attention. Our attention basically builds our future life.

Unfortunately, it's really easy to steal attention. Politics and media personalities are adept at it. It's impossible to ignore their antics all the time, but if you can keep the thieves out of your mind most of the time, you'll be able to chart your own course, and set your own priorities.