paying attention.

I've been trying to pay attention, and I've noticed a few things:

• • People are spending way too much time on their phones texting while driving. I saw someone drive for a mile and half in two lanes on 95. When I caught up to them, carefully, I noticed that, yes, they were texting.
  • It seems like everyone is having a bit of a hard time. There is suffering. I mean, life is beautiful, but there is a whole lot of pain going around. I hope that this gets easier for everyone. There is something about the zeitgeist right now which is just unsettled.
  • The slower I go, the more I enjoy life. I don’t mean doing nothing by accident. Not spending idle time flipping through websites. But actually being present in what is happening to me — right now, right here.

There is no point to what I am writing. This goes nowhere. It means nothing. It is just words. Just like chasing after money or success or whatever people look for in order to not hurt and feel complete.

Sometimes I feel like I am on the wrong path. Instead of trading time for money, I am going to try and be more of service to others.

There’s an old Zen story: a student said to Master Ichu, “Please write for me something of great wisdom.” Master Ichu picked up his brush and wrote one word: “Attention.” The student said, “Is that all?” The master wrote, “Attention. Attention.” The student became irritable. “That doesn’t seem profound or subtle to me.” In response, Master Ichu wrote simply, “Attention. Attention. Attention.” In frustration, the student demanded, “What does this word ‘attention’ mean?” Master Ichu replied, “Attention means attention.” ~Charlotte Joko Beck