#30 Attention as One of the Most Valuable Currencies we have

Ep 30 Between the Ears - Attention
Welcome I'm Arnold Bekus and I enable you to have a better life between the ears because your inner state creates your outer reality. Today's topic is attention. Yes, your attention.

Attention is one of the most valuable currencies which we have. Why is that the case? Because where your attention goes, your energy flows. Anything you think about, anything you focus on, anything you put your attention on, that is where your energy flows.

And unfortunately a lot of our attention is triggered by fear. Fear triggers your survival mode. The survival mode means you're in a state of fight or flight and you immediately pay attention.

Now you might say that's good and people say that's from the evolution because when you were here and there were tigers moving around and you gotta be careful if you're not eaten by those tigers. Well I was born in the Netherlands. I'm currently living in Paraguay.

There never have been and there are no tigers here. So well that's maybe part of another podcast. But there is a lot of things which causes fear.

That is the main thing what the government uses in order to condition us. If we are afraid of a war with the Russians or afraid of a war with the Chinese. That we are afraid of the climate, the warming up of the climate.

That we are afraid of the oil prices going through the roof because of the problems with Iran. Or that if you eat a certain product that you will get stomach problems. Whatever.

It's all based on fear. It's what the government does in order to make you comply. It's what all well 99.9% of businesses use to get your attention.

They put fear. Even like fear of being too fat or fear of not having the latest handbag or fear of having an old car and you look stupid. So that fear is the main driver.

But that fear again puts you in a fight or flight. And that is where your attention goes. Because that immediately where your attention goes.

But that means you can't be creative. That means you can't figure out great solutions. That you don't get really good insights.

Because you need to be relaxed in order to get great ideas. So fear limits you. It limits everything.

So if you're doing some trying to do some very challenging work or you're learning something which is not easy. You shouldn't be in a fear mode. Because the fear mode is limiting you.

And again it's like the older media. And that is what the social media does. What's it? 95% of it is fear based.

Because why did they do that? To attract your attention. So to get out of that survival mode. To be more in a rest or relax or digest mode.

We must not let our lives be driven by fear. So if in social media a title makes you fearful or angry. Don't engage with it.

And don't fill up any path in your day with opening up your phone and scrolling. Just allow yourself your attention to do nothing. Or just eat something.

Without looking at your phone. Talk with other people without using your phone. Sleep without the phone in the next in on your nightstand.

When you're drinking your tea or your coffee or some water. Just pay attention to what you're doing. And making that pause that feels 10 times better than reaching for your phone and scrolling.

A lot of people have what they call two screens. They're watching tv and while they're watching tv they're trying to follow what's happening on social media. Or an ipad or whatever.

That means you split your attention. You can't follow these two things. So instead of let your attention go wherever it wants to go.

Become in charge of your attention. And instead of distraction and stimulation start listening to your heart. What is your heart trying to tell you? Listen inwardly.

Listen to what your body is trying to tell you. Maybe you've been ignoring some pain in your ankle. So be really really careful where your attention goes.

And be the guardian of your attention. Everyday beauty. We concluded session with some examples of everyday beauty.

Because beauty and especially moral beauty, kindness, courage, compassion has a very positive influence on your inner state. There was a man in Australia. His name is Tyler Wiebe.

Who was riding his motorcycle to work in Brisbane. Which is a city in Australia. When a driver crossed into the oncoming lane and smashed into the car in front of him.

I had a similar experience where the car crashed into me. But that's another story. The impact dragged Tyler under the vehicle as it surged backward until it stopped directly on top of his sternum.

So riding his motorbike, there's a car on top of his sternum. He couldn't breathe. The compression on his chest was so intense.

His heart wasn't able to beat properly. But there were two employees of a nearby business, Rob and Brian, who heard the crash and ran out to find a pair of legs sticking out from beneath the car. They called over their colleagues and attempted to lift the 3,000 pound vehicle.

And the first attempt failed and the second succeeded only in breaking more of Tyler's ribs. But the group refused to stop. We just sort of grabbed the spot and just lifted with our mind drops out.

The car came up just enough to pull Tyler clear. He was still conscious. Certainly he was going to die.

His lungs punctured. Gasping for air, his paramedics urged him to stay with them on the way to the hospital. And surgery stabilized his lungs and a slow, steady recovery followed.

He later thanked his rescuers on an Australian news program, calling them certified legends. What a great title. Certified legends through tears and laughter.

I get more time with my daughters. I get more time with my family. And secondly, his own life, Tyler said.

I can't say thank you enough. Please remember, we need your uniqueness. Be a better maker for yourself, for others, for the world.