Four minutes and nine mosquito bites.
This Yellow-crowned Night Heron pair gazed at each other for almost 4 minutes without looking away. This is an example of paying attention.
Be like these Night-herons?
So, in terms of neural plasticity, there are 4 traits we can exercise to promote well-being.
Attention is one.
“Research has shown that most people do not pay close attention to what they’re doing about 47% of the time.” (Uh oh.) “The quality of attention that you pay to what you are doing is vital.”
William James wrote: “The ability to voluntarily bring back a wandering attention over and over again is the very root of judgment, character, and will. An education that sharpens attention would be education par excellence.” James italicized the last three words.
Oh! Attention is educable.
Educating attention can be done through contemplative practice. What’s that? Well for 15-20 seconds, put your hands on your belly and notice your breath coming in and out. When you get distracted just come back to your breath. “Practice short times, often” is what I tell myself.
