We had a lovely evening out with friends recently. It was dinner and live music, in an intimate, atmospheric space in Fremantle. The food was delicious and simple - it was like being at a friend's house. When the music started (singer and guitarist), mellow and heartfelt, I felt myself relax into the seat, expectations released, as I simply sat and listened.
It was almost a novel experience - sitting in a room of 25 or so people, all focused on the music. Minimal talking, no phone scrolling. It was dimly lit, and the musicians could see the audience, and that felt unique too - as an audience, we are so often in the dark or behind screens.
In the spaces between chords, I could hear the ocean in the background. The candles flickered, illuminating the rough walls and casting a warm glow on faces all turned in the same direction. So beautiful.
As I sat, I felt waves of - almost relief wash over me, that all I had to do for the next hour or so was to sit and listen. Not all of the songs were to my taste - I'm not big on jazz - but I could still appreciate the talent and the effort and the atmosphere.
There is magic in focused attention.
Our whirring minds begin to slow, as this focused attention creates a pause in our busy, busy lives. These pauses don't mean stopping, they can simply mean stopping doing everything else except this one thing.
We have to seek out these moments, though. Whether it is listening will full attention to a friend, partner or child; walking on the beach listening to the ocean instead of a podcast; sitting in meditation and constantly coming back to the breath. Every moment is an opportunity to pay attention.
What can you give your full attention to today? Can you sit with just one thing, and allow yourself to be okay with not knowing all the other things that may be happening around you?
With love,
Amanda xx
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