by Cody Cook-Parrott
I picked this up my last time through Kanab. I love the little coffee shop / book store / sporting goods store there. For me it’s a must stop. The subtitle of the book, “Cultivating Presence in a Distracted World” caught my eye. I admit I’m not as well put together as I would like to be. The book was good, and I was happy to learn that I am already doing the practices that she recommends to increase one’s attention and presence in the world. (No brag, it’s actually not terribly complicated.) Here are the practices she recommends:
- Get a hobby. (For me, paint — this one is new.)
- Move. (For me, do something physical that you enjoy, easy.)
- Do something Creative. (For me, writing.)
- Do something spiritual. (For me, mindfulness exercise, and study.)
- Service. (For me, working in the kitchen at the homeless shelter.
The point is do things that help you detach from media and the culture that demands so much of our attention. So much that we don’t have enough left for ourselves. She makes the point thoroughly (almost too thoroughly) and I’m happy to report I agree with her 100 percent.
I also enjoy the reflection that is part of the journey.