'Stories and Other Things Holy' Episode 2:

'Learning to Look Up: Embracing Grace in Everyday Moments'

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Reflection from Terry

Pay Attention

It seems so basic, so elemental, so essential, so… ‘Tell me something I don’t know;’ And, still, across the millennia we are warned and cajoled:

• “The unexamined life is not worth living.” - Socrates
• “We had the experience but missed the meaning.” - T.S. Eliot
• “Do you have eyes but not see — ears but not hear?” - Jesus, son of the carpenter
• “We become what we pay attention to.” - David Whyte

This ‘Stories and Other Things Holy’ story is rife with humor . . . and tragedy. Brother David Steindl-Rast boldly declares: The fact that you are not yet dead is not sufficient proof that you are alive. And – all indications point to the fact that the quality and vibrancy of our lives is significantly contingent on our capacity to… Pay Attention. This sounds so simple, and we know it is the furthest thing from simple. We live in a culture that powerfully seduces, bullies, and numbs us into non-attention. We live in a culture that idolizes speed and production —- were this really true, then the orchestra that finishes first would be the best. Collectively, let’s pray for the bike rider guy in this story — and allow his lament to stir in us a commitment to the discipline and sacrament of paying attention — of slowing down — of soaking in — of… Adoring.

Grace-ercises

1. A few times this week consciously and intentionally savor and linger over something, some moment, some encounter that you might have easily merely ‘passed by.’
2. This week, make an effort and take the risk to: Look Up and make eye contact.
3. The phrase: 'Pay Attention' is intriguing and revelatory. There is a price associated with the gift and sacrament and discipline of Attention. Over the course of your week be mindful of the ‘Pay’ part of pay attention. Strain to identify and articulate what it costs to Pay Attention. Choose to Pay the price . . .

​storiesandotherthingsholy.com​

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