I really enjoyed reading this today, and there’s so many ways this can be applied in my life. I actually thought about this same concept this morning, think I about AI and the problem of getting a robot to understand the world. Getting a human to focus on a football player on the field of a stadium full of humans, it pretty trivial. But for a robot is incredibly difficult what actually is distinguishable between a person in the crowd wearing a jersey, vs the player on the field it’s an incredibly complex problem for a robot but easy for humans. We as humans are remarkable at filtering signal out of noise based on our perceptions. You give someone 10 seconds to scan a room and look for red, then recite red objects they find dozens. But ask them to recite blue and they will remember only 1 or 2, maybe zero. Translated to life, if your perception is that work will be terrible and everyone’s going to cut you off, you’ll end up in a tragic metal state all day. Reframe your perception to think how great it is to have a job and have all the luxuries of a city and life seems pretty amazing. Thank you for inspiring some self-reflections for me today, and bearing through my rant!
Ah, yes! But, rich has so many facets. Monetarily, intellectually, relationally? Your experience again will shape reality to your own perception and life you live. Immanuel Kant would have much to say...
This is why I say "I'm too broke to pay attention to you" to many a thirsty cow I encounter. In a world of sense the understanding of this basic concept would be common. Lort knows it's woven throughout history in teachings and told to people paying big bucks on cruise ships 😄
After experiencing some very difficult trauma in my life I went through a period I could not focus on anything except the traumatic events. It caused me to become isolated m, fearful and angry. I begin giving myself a routine every day beginning each one with yoga-prayer-and meditation, and generally putting myself first and caring for me. When that happened I became a much happier person and I was able to change the lens of my perception. Thank you for putting all this into such wonderful words and understanding. Bless you. ✨🤗💖
This really hit home. I've always known this, but rarely have I stopped to consider what I'm paying attention to. Attention is necessarily even more scarce than time.
I've always taken a positive outlook for granted...but these last few years have really darkened so many of my perceptions.
In fact, as a teenager, I read "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens" after my mother passive-agressively tried to goad me to violence. I made an active decision, after reading that book, to avoid feeding the furnace of hatred that had warped her mind.
But I overcorrected, erring on the side of being willfully naive. I've been burned so thoroughly by repressing instinct that, once again, overcorrected toward hyper-vigilance, and a certain pessimism.
There seem to be two things happening at once. We are intentionally giving our attention to people and things that cross our path. While that is occurring, we are unintentionally giving a piece of our thinking to the worldview we have built up over the course of our lives. Experiences, family, education, friends, and enemies all have conspired to teach us how the world really works.
To gain the value of willful attention, we must adjust our worldview in some way. We must do this before we give attention to other things, "thinking about our worldview, not with it.” (Randy Baker; Worldview)
Beautiful sentiment. Beautifully written. I like the idea of a cartography of the soul. Map out exactly the contours you want your life to conform to. Everything we are begins with the things we tell ourselves inside. It took me many years of fighting the negative ramblings of the Ugly Spirit to learn this simple truth.
I have been practicing this in the last couple of months with my kids. Trying to be more present to them and pay attention to the need behind the behavior. It seems to have become easier as I’ve become attuned and the instances of unhealthy reaction have been replaced by more glimpses of compassion and understanding.
WOW! I have heard these concepts numerous times, but not this well written. Your article is very timely. I have been needing to change my focus from work to family and taking care of myself. Being laser focused on work has had a negative effect on my personal life. Change your focus, change your world. Brilliant Andrew! Golf clap!
Your children are very blessed to have you as a father. They will take life by the horns!
"Choose your ink wisely " 🔥💯👏👏
I'm glad that stood out!
I was hesitant about keeping that part in.
Then again, I'm always hesitant if I end up editing, so that makes sense!
I really enjoyed reading this today, and there’s so many ways this can be applied in my life. I actually thought about this same concept this morning, think I about AI and the problem of getting a robot to understand the world. Getting a human to focus on a football player on the field of a stadium full of humans, it pretty trivial. But for a robot is incredibly difficult what actually is distinguishable between a person in the crowd wearing a jersey, vs the player on the field it’s an incredibly complex problem for a robot but easy for humans. We as humans are remarkable at filtering signal out of noise based on our perceptions. You give someone 10 seconds to scan a room and look for red, then recite red objects they find dozens. But ask them to recite blue and they will remember only 1 or 2, maybe zero. Translated to life, if your perception is that work will be terrible and everyone’s going to cut you off, you’ll end up in a tragic metal state all day. Reframe your perception to think how great it is to have a job and have all the luxuries of a city and life seems pretty amazing. Thank you for inspiring some self-reflections for me today, and bearing through my rant!
I loved this rant!
So many wonderful points here.
And the issue with AI is perfect to illustrate how little we really understand ourselves.
It isn't even a simple hierarchy issue, either. Their system is weighted.
So what's missing?
Find out, become rich!
Ah, yes! But, rich has so many facets. Monetarily, intellectually, relationally? Your experience again will shape reality to your own perception and life you live. Immanuel Kant would have much to say...
This is why I say "I'm too broke to pay attention to you" to many a thirsty cow I encounter. In a world of sense the understanding of this basic concept would be common. Lort knows it's woven throughout history in teachings and told to people paying big bucks on cruise ships 😄
This is written beautifully \m/
After experiencing some very difficult trauma in my life I went through a period I could not focus on anything except the traumatic events. It caused me to become isolated m, fearful and angry. I begin giving myself a routine every day beginning each one with yoga-prayer-and meditation, and generally putting myself first and caring for me. When that happened I became a much happier person and I was able to change the lens of my perception. Thank you for putting all this into such wonderful words and understanding. Bless you. ✨🤗💖
This really hit home. I've always known this, but rarely have I stopped to consider what I'm paying attention to. Attention is necessarily even more scarce than time.
I've always taken a positive outlook for granted...but these last few years have really darkened so many of my perceptions.
In fact, as a teenager, I read "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens" after my mother passive-agressively tried to goad me to violence. I made an active decision, after reading that book, to avoid feeding the furnace of hatred that had warped her mind.
But I overcorrected, erring on the side of being willfully naive. I've been burned so thoroughly by repressing instinct that, once again, overcorrected toward hyper-vigilance, and a certain pessimism.
Gotta stop watering those seeds, I guess.
Thanks for a wonderful read.
There seem to be two things happening at once. We are intentionally giving our attention to people and things that cross our path. While that is occurring, we are unintentionally giving a piece of our thinking to the worldview we have built up over the course of our lives. Experiences, family, education, friends, and enemies all have conspired to teach us how the world really works.
To gain the value of willful attention, we must adjust our worldview in some way. We must do this before we give attention to other things, "thinking about our worldview, not with it.” (Randy Baker; Worldview)
Beautiful sentiment. Beautifully written. I like the idea of a cartography of the soul. Map out exactly the contours you want your life to conform to. Everything we are begins with the things we tell ourselves inside. It took me many years of fighting the negative ramblings of the Ugly Spirit to learn this simple truth.
Andrew! You might like my podcast! Same topic here; attention: https://unorthodoxy.substack.com/p/the-cost-of-paying-attention
I have been practicing this in the last couple of months with my kids. Trying to be more present to them and pay attention to the need behind the behavior. It seems to have become easier as I’ve become attuned and the instances of unhealthy reaction have been replaced by more glimpses of compassion and understanding.
WOW! I have heard these concepts numerous times, but not this well written. Your article is very timely. I have been needing to change my focus from work to family and taking care of myself. Being laser focused on work has had a negative effect on my personal life. Change your focus, change your world. Brilliant Andrew! Golf clap!
Your children are very blessed to have you as a father. They will take life by the horns!