Conversations

talking to the past, present, and future

Concentration is not a strength of mine. Unless I am working on a hands-on activity, my concentration seems to float away from the book, person, or task in front of me. Some people can sit and read for hours; Unless I have a pen in my hand to underline, highlight, or write notes to the book, I am distracted after a few minutes…

This has always been the case; however, I have only recently put it into words. When I put something into words, it becomes tangible, it becomes real… especially when I can define those words. My experiences never seem quite as real or memorable without the words to define them and the anecdotes to talk about them.

The anecdote: While I was young, my mother would read aloud to me and my brother. As I listened, I squirmed on the couch, finding a variety of ways to sit. I would sit with my head hanging off, or with my feet up in the air, or on my knees with my head tucked in. I would respond to what I was hearing in a physical way. I didn't “act out” the story, but I would shift my body when the mood of the story changed from sad, to happy, to excited, to frightened, and so on. My mind was so engaged in the story, my body could not help but follow. My concentration was not poor at this point, in fact, I was engaged… just… differently engaged.

Interestingly, I have learned that the physical engagement in reading or listening is only a bi-product of emotional engagement in who/what I am reading or listening to. Emotional Engagement begins when we see the purpose in listening to the person, completing the task, or reading the book in front of us.

Often when I am emotionally engaged in a book, it will inspire creativity within me. Instead of allowing this creativity to evolve, I often continue reading. I often forget to foster inspiration through turning it into action. Instead of treating the book as a conversation and responding with creativity, I become a sponge, taking, but never giving back.

Creativity begins with concentration; Concentration begins with conversation. There is a place in our minds that is built for conversation. Think of the amount of time you spend replaying past conversations, planning out future conversations, or simply talking to yourself. Our minds are DESIGNED for conversation.

In order to concentrate, you must converse with the present. It is in this conversation that we discover meaning and purpose. We put words onto our experiences and work to understand life. Our emotions are engaged and we are alive. Much like the upside-down child, listening to a story and learning how to physically react to the emotions inside of her, we respond to the things that happen around us and learn to position ourselves in response to the emotions within us.

One question remains:

Who/What are you talking with in this Present Conversation?

Do you Hear a Response?