I have an odd enjoyment, perhaps, in having a vast assortment of friends rather than a strictly homogeneous
group of folks who all know one another. One of these “outside of the box” friends is Charles, who works as a security guard at my favorite karaoke bar.
I have known Charles for the better part of a year. It was in December that he and I started talking in
earnest – about writing, about life, about what was most important to us. Sometimes when I am away from
karaoke for a while, I make a point to send him an email, just to let him know I am still out here, just
busy with the other aspects of my life that he doesn’t always see.
Last night he responded to my “how are you doing query” with a version of this: “I am well, except for cutting my hand pretty badly.”
Instant sympathy arose from my belly. I wrote him back with the requisite compassionate, “What happened?”
His simple response struck a chord with me, one that has been echoing within me ever since. Here is what he said:
“How it always happens. Not paying attention.”
My creative mind scooped up those words. A simple truth – “How it always happens. Not paying attention”
caused my mind to drop into a seated position – cross legged on the floor – and carefully held onto the power
of these words, this truth. I looked at it and allowed it to fascinate me. I cradled it in my arms and looked into its eyes.
I realized through this simple
interchange with Charles how engaging life in this way has increased my
level of engagement with everything. My heart leaps at the chance to pick up simple truths and ideas and shake them, sniff them, watch them, listen to them.
I adore slowly becoming beguiled and
bewildered, wooed and finally filled with wonder…..grateful relating, a-ha’s and empowered passion.
This is what happens when we pay
attention – to anything or anyone. When we pay attention with our hearts open and our judgment turned low – or better yet, turned all the way off – the world takes on a the sheen of glistening bows and wrapping paper. The moment becomes a present, a gift, instead of something to slog through in order to get to something else.
