The Window on Connecticut

and how our attention leads to connection

Every day on our way to school we pass by this quaint green house. It’s a pretty simple looking home with a plain grassy lawn, but it has a fantastic picture window. The window is what catches my attention. The view from this window wouldn’t be very great. It’s on a busier five lane residential street. You wouldn’t see a lot of trees or even much variety in landscape. The homes are pretty close together and there aren’t that many people I see out walking. And yet in this window, there almost always are these two dogs perched on the back of their couch viewing the happenings of Connecticut street every weekday morning just after 8 am. These dogs crack me up and bring me so much delight. I find myself looking for them every morning as we pass by.

Sometimes it’s just the white dog. He’s typically perched up as he watches, as if he’s viewing some thrilling and suspenseful show. He appears thoroughly entertained as our very average blue minivan drives by.

Other times it’s just the black and white dog. He rests his head on his paws as if he’s bored out of his mind. I imagine his voice in a slow and low register: “Another humdrum morning. I wish I had something better to do.”

Occasionally, it’s both of them. These times it’s as if they’ve coordinated together a happy effort to greet every car that passes by, wishing us all a good day.

This morning, it was the uninterested black and white dog. “Happy Friday to you too, sir.”

These dogs have my attention and it feels as though we are friends. I know that sounds really silly. These are dogs. In a window. But the point I’m trying to make is that my attention to these household pets of the green house make me feel connected to them in some way. Attention matters for connection. Attention focuses our awareness on who and what is before us. Attention is the beginning of our human desire for connection.

“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.”- Simone Weil

Let’s take a moment to practice what I mean. Can you bring your attention to your own body and tune in to what is happening for you right now? We aren’t judging anything. Just notice. Do you notice your stomach rumble? Do you notice sensations of anxiety, maybe a tightness in your chest or across the back of your shoulders? Do you notice that your mind is racing and it’s really hard to even focus on what I’m asking you to do? Do you notice that you are holding your breath? For me, as I’m tuning in, I notice that the chair I’m sitting on is actually really uncomfortable and causing some pain.

In this case, our attention is allowing us to connect with ourselves so that we can love ourselves better and get what our bodies are asking for. But awareness can also allow you to connect with a friend and see the beauty of their body and their soul, resulting in an appreciation for this special human. This same idea can help us be aware of the presence of God and foster a prayerful connection with Him.

We have shifted from an age of information to an age of attention. There are a lot of things continuously reaching for us, asking us of our attention…breaking news, constant ads, social media, all of the details that nag at us with busy lifestyles. It could take all of our attention, but do we want it to? Are those things really satisfying connections anyway?

I want to give you a sneak peak into what I’ve alluded to in past posts. I’m creating a guide to offer to you. If you find yourself exhausted from all the ways your mind and body are pulled or find that you haven’t even had time to notice how much water you’ve consumed, let alone make space to connect with God, this guide may be for you.

My goal for this guide is twofold. First, may it act as a template for future rest. The Professor and I have had many people ask us “what do you even DO on Sabbath or on a day of solitude? What does it even look like?” This guide could be a template or even a springboard for you to figure that out for yourself.

Second, may it specifically tend to those who feel harried by what has their attention, longing for grounding and a satisfying connection with God.

The theme of this guide is attention and connection through our senses. I guide you through some practices using your senses that reconnect you with yourself and therefore create a mindful way to enter into prayer and commune with God.

If in having your attention on your attention this is resonating with you, consider this sneak peek an anticipation for what is to come very soon. It has been life giving for me as I’ve put it together and I’m looking forward to making it available for you.

I hope you are well and will be sharing with you again soon.

I leave you with what has had my attention lately…

All things yoga…homework, meeting my cohort buddy, teaching practice with my gracious and safe family and church small group.

A moody album to match the moody weather

Cozy lighting to help me feel calm in prolonged days of drab weather

Mary Oliver’s poetry

“To pay attention. This is our endless and proper work.” -Mary Oliver