Word of the Week: Attention (Find Your Dorothy)

Word of the Week:  Attention

“The greatest gift you can give another is the purity of your attention.”
~ Richard Moss

This week let’s focus on paying attention to people and things that we might otherwise not pay much mind too.  Look up, down, and all around.  Allow yourself a minute to step out from clutter in your mind and appreciate the little things you overlook.  The changing leaves of ivy decorating the cold gray limestone, the splash of color a butterfly brings on a cold Fall day, the smile of the elderly lady on the bus, or take a moment to stop and listen to the sound of birds singing — as the melody carries over the bustling traffic.

Make it a point to “find your Dorothy” (read the parable below)

Most Important Lesson (A Parable)
During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?” Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark haired and in her 50′s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count towards our quiz grade. “Absolutely,” said the professor. “In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say ‘hello’.” I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

*If you like the Word of the Week, you will love “BOOYAH! SPIRIT:  52 Ingredients for a Healthy Soul.  Suffering is Optional”  Comprised of 52 Words of the Week (one for each week of the year), and quite a bit more in depth.