$ Paying Attention $

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It is in the nuanced subtle details that the true soul is discovered.  It is not in the mundane commerce and intercourse of our waking life.

It is not in the habitual presentation of the self through posture, manner, speech, clever lines, or outward stereotyped patterns.  It is never in the masks no matter the power of their allure.   Words spoken may hide as well as reveal.  Flesh uncovered might yet be the last hiding place.

But a pause, a word left unspoken may communicate more than volumes.  Those small traits and qualities that make one soul unique from another are like gems among  rock and sand.  It takes some effort but that is where the valuable material is found.

People always pay attention to what matters to them.

So if someone is paying attention to the details of you, pause.  At least they have glimpsed your singularity.  If they continue they have recognized the unique and exquisite value of you.  By definition then you are valuable to them.  Otherwise they would not pay attention.

It is a compliment in its highest form to be paid attention.

It is a good and life-giving gift.

21 thoughts on “$ Paying Attention $”

  1. That’d be nice. We seem to get into some rather long discussions. And I sometimes say too much. But hey, that’s why I’m so terrific on the Care Ministry committee. I have more stamina than most people for the job. Seriously. Our previous pastor put me to work visiting two years before they realized a committee would be helpful. LOL Always referred to me as the energizer bunny. Probably not a good recommendation, though,

  2. That’s interesting about ET. I just told Bran what you said. His response was, yeah. He has a degree in psychology. And one in criminal justice. Can’t find a job to save his soul!

    I think I need to educate myself a little more!

  3. Created to explain or explore important things, you mean? Couldn’t Tolkien’s LOTR accurately be referred to as a myth rather than just a fantasy? I’ve always wondered about that since he has Eru (The One or He That Is Alone).

    • True like a dream is true. The patterns are true. ET was about someone coming from the heavens teaching people how to love dying because of their sins resutrected and then proclaiming that he would be back 🙂

    • The idea of myth has good connotations to me. If the pattern is true it remains so no matter how its presented. The passio guy would say that christianity is based on astro (sun) theology. Either way the patterns hold up

  4. Well, I’m not one to put a shiny face on scripture. I believe the creation story is a myth and so much of the Bible is socially irrelevant for us now. If it weren’t I would have had to stone the kids every time they talked back to me! So sorry. You’re not shocking me. And my SS class is WAY used to my shenanigans. Now about teaching… LOL

  5. You can teach that girl. It may make them uncomfortable especially if I get to abraham and how he was going to pimp our his wife and let his lirrle bastard son die so that bitch of a wife would shut up and leave him alone. They ususally shut down before I get to the part that in spite of all that and more he believed and clung to a crazy dream. And was reckoned righteous in doing so

  6. “God asked adam where he was not because god didn’t know. It was adam who did not realize where he was…” Wow… That’s a pretty awesome observation. Kind of sheds a new light on the story. Gonna have to bring that up in Sunday School first change I get.

  7. Yes I do understand about being seen. It can be most terrifying yet the root of what we need it think. It may been necessary before we can see ourselves through the hall of mirrors we construct. God asked adam where he was not because god didn’t know. It was adam who did not realize where he was there like a two year old hiding behind the couch will a load in his pants acting as if he is not full of shit. 🙂 Kim knows about seeing. The mirror story is about that. I had written it years ago in a different context. When I included the picture of the faceless mother I thought of her. Her story and her work. But whatever the details of our particular story I think some of this holds true for us all.

  8. Getting clarity about something that already is… I like that. Ten years ago I would have thought that a hard pill to swallow because I didn’t feel like I had any of those child-like qualities left in me. Spelunking around in my cave (you know, I really should have called it an attic — interesting choice of words) has surprised the heck out of me. And some things I was (still do) feeling would have taken a large amount of torture to get me to admit. Self-acceptance has been a hard-fought battle for me. I am so thankful that God sent Kim into my life when he did. Almost the first thing she said to me was, “I SEE you.” Total new experience for me. I don’t think I’d ever felt like anyone saw me. Do you feel that way?

    Miss Donna is 84 and ailing. Her husband passed away two years ago this June. Yeah, I have a soft spot in my heart for her. She can be a bossy broad though! LOL My oldest “girlfriend”, Eunice, is 102. They really are a gift to me because God is teaching me through them to not be afraid of death. That probably makes no sense… Lost one of my crew already.

  9. She was actually quiet most of the night. Was worn out from paying “calls” on folks yesterday (I’m a Victorian at heart). Two and half hours with Miss Donna tends to do me in. She speaks so quietly you have to listen with your whole body. So when I fell in bed last night I was out before my head hit the pillow. Till 5:54 this morning. Then muscle spasms drove me from my slumber. Sucked.

    I was going to say before you took down your picture piece yesterday that what you do for a living with people in general and probably young people in particular is like being a midwife. What you wrote about it was very insightful and beautiful.

    • Well miss donna must be valuable that you paid her so well. Im glad you rested. I’ve described what I do as writing poetry or playing jazz with people. And I’ve thought about creativity as less me making something up and more me trying to get clarity about something that already exists. Like the David statue was in the stone already he just needed to remove what didn’t belong. That’s plato. Your idea of midwife may could tie it together somehow. Our stories do feel like our children and some times the best thing we can do for them is not to impose ourselves on them but just let them be. Good thought. Thank you.

  10. Still just sitting here rereading this. I thought what you wrote last night was my favorite thing, but what you’ve written here touches me so deeply because I have experienced exactly what you’re talking about.

  12. For me, those who read my work and appreciate it is very much a compliment to me. Although, I do want my words to touch hearts,
    I am somewhat amazed that they do. This is all new to me. But, I have to follow my heart and what God wills me to do.

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