Michael White

One of the hardest lessons I had to learn was the craft of paying attention. I call it a craft because it is easy to think that paying attention refers to any conversation that we have. My mom used to ask us, ‘are you paying attention to me’? And as kids, we always responded that we were, knowing that our minds were a million miles away from the conversation she was having.

In life, conversations are constantly going on. The door that you have been trying to pry open remains closed. And you’re fighting to get it open. When in reality God has spoken but you weren’t paying attention. When you’re stirred awake at 3am three days in a row and you call it indigestion or some other malady when the reality is, your mind needs to talk and your heart needs to listen. Pay attention!

You must live life with the awareness that communication is constantly going on. You have to have an ear to hear what is being said. When the birds chirp, the wind blows, the horn honks and your feet whine. Are you listening? Or, are you a million miles away paying attention to something that is oblivious to your existence?

Survive and Thrive!