I have been paying attention to attention for a while – say thirty years.  It is a big part of how I approach performance work, movement, writing, my horses and dogs, my kids and myself.  I am interested in the fluctuations of attention, and a big part of Breaking into Blossom is about that practice – how and when and why we attend.

Something wonderful that I discovered on Linda Stone’s web is a list of books that she likes.  The one I am reading and loving right how is Exuberant Animal: The Power of Health, Play and Joyful Movement by Frank Forencich.  He talks about how we have become a hyper-visual and hypo-tactile culture. And even beyond that, how we have narrowed our visual fields to exclude the peripheral.

This morning when I was shooting outside in the snow (yes, I had my pajamas on), I noticed that I have trained myself to scan peripherally within the frame before I shoot.  I am a complete novice photographer, so this was radical and exciting.  I also noticed that as I was walking, consciously widening my visual field seemed to deepen breathing and expand joy.

• PICNIC ’09: Start Breathing with Linda Stone from PICNIC on Vimeo.

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On Google+ today, Gwen Bell asked what do we do to stay motivated during difficult times. I think that the answer has to do not with motivation, but with connection.

Because difficult times have a way of disconnecting us from ourselves.  So how to reconnect?

I have a few suggestions:

1. Move!  Without thinking, without judging.
2. Change your point of view.  Stand up, look over your shoulder, look between your legs, walk backwards, lie on the floor somewhere new and see what you see.
3. Breathe.  Intentional, mindful breathing is magic.
4. Sip a lovely tea.  My current favorite is Harney’s Dong Ding, a lovely oolong.  If you really want a splurge, try their Top Ti Quan Yin. They describe it as a “It is an intense mixture of butter and honey, even honeysuckle flowers, reminiscent of great Burgundy white wine.”

How do you reconnect?

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