When Everything Has Your Attention, Nothing Really Does

Have you ever heard someone say they are “aware of everything that’s going on around them”? They are trying to explain that they have a keen sense of everything that is existing around them and they are able to almost hyperfocus on it all….at once. I’m sure I’ve said it and felt like I was. As if I was able to hold multiple thoughts, various inputs coming at you at once, all while engaging in multiple directions all in one moment. This is important in life….for certain situations, albeit. If you’re walking alone in a dark alley or in a sketchy, unknown part of town. I think in moments like that you need to be able to move quickly, think quickly, respond quickly, and react on a dime in lieu of potential danger. Well, I’m not referring to that. Keep that energy if you find yourself in a sketchy situation. But I’m referring to the former.

Hyperfocus attention feels productive. It feels like we are engaged but always aware. But let’s look underneath that because something else could be happening – scattered attention. This typically happens when everything around us, while we’re watching them, they’re watching us. And what I mean is, all of these things have free access to our focus, and nothing is actually being held long enough for understanding. Instead of being able to engage with experiences, we skim through them. Our thoughts come in and go out without any acknowledgement. Sometimes they remain just long enough to make room for the distraction to arrive or arise. Over time, these continual demands for attention create what I refer to as unclear, constant internal noise.

In Kind Rebirths, I don’t place much importance on forcing stillness or trying to shut everything that arises down. It’s more about noticing how our attention is being used. It’s not just where it goes or where it wants to lead us; it’s about observing how that attention is being used and for how long it’s needed. Trust me, there is a distinction and a difference between being hyperfocusedly aware and being able to give it your mindful attention.

Distractions play a role in this. Not always as interruptions, but as invitations. Each one offers us a chance to shift away from what we are currently engaged with. And when we accept those invitations repeatedly, our thinking begins to crumble and we lose thought continuity. Then we may lose depth followed closely by losing clarity.

Just as a point of reiteration, I don’t think we should seek paths that isolate ourselves from everything, but it does mean we should consider the cost of a constant shift. Ideally, we can begin to see how often we move away from something before it even has a chance to settle formally into understanding.

As we overcome the obstacles to staying attentive to one thing or in one place, if even for a brief moment, our thoughts shape and become clearer. Feelings become more outlined and defined. Vagueness smooths out making room for what is needed….presence.

So, as we begin noticing how our hyperfocus style of attention can actually divide rather than to create a whole, hopefully you can see the value in letting it find peace on something or one thing. Not on “everywhere” but in “somewhere.” This, when held long enough, has the mustard to emerge as something real.

Stay Mindful….

Rebirth.