One Word 2023

 

Attention Attend  Tend

         

What consumes your attention?

Are you aware of how you allocate headspace?

Do you attend every argument you're invited to? 

Where do you turn your gaze towards?

Why do certain situations demand so much of your time?

How do you tend the garden of your mind?

“To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.” —Mary Oliver

In 2023, I want to remain more aware of how I allocate my attention. Increased consciousness of what consumes my headspace is the goal. 

“Where your attention goes, your time goes.” —Idowu Koyenikan

In a world where time is our scarcest resource, I often squander precious moments worrying about the insignificant. In this new year, I want to pause often and ask, “Is this thing I'm focusing on worth the space its occupying in my mind?”

“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” —Thich Nhat Hanh

I did not inherit the gift of  gardening. However, I’ve found that when I tend to my mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing, the journey of life feels a bit less rocky. My hope for 2023 is to cultivate a practice in which I notice, note, and name how I budget and spend one of our most valuable resources—attention.