Musings after a recent conversation with a close friend and a reiteration of the same topic in an Ethan Hawke interview snippet - the fact of having to admit to ourselves our attention span, ability to stay ‘in’ things - notably a book - has diminished or is on the noticeable decline.
As a reader, the power of having to admit this to oneself or out loud is not fun but, at the same time, we have enough introspection to notice it and so the fight becomes, to take up arms against it, as the Prince of Denmark would say.
The quiet revolution within therefore, is to STAY in something… longer. To linger longer than feels comfortable, to breach the threshold of awkward and stay… be it in a book, a hug, a conversation.
The poet David Whyte is the truest advocate of this invitation to stay in conversation with another, as he regards it the highest form of relationship, inclusive, naturally, of intimacy, but applicable to every relationship and many interactions we have.
I am a long time fan of Ethan Hawke snd the resistance was palpable, he did not want to admit his tolerance is getting shorter for reading. Hence the awareness and decision to revolt and stay connected to that book.
Musings also into memories of a last hug, a final embrace with my God-daughter and how much it means to me the moment was captured in a photo but more so, how glad I was that I did not short-change her on that hug but remained it for so long.
The Ted Lasso series scene where he sits alongside a young women weeping and just stays beside her, not touching, and each frame reveals a slowing down, a calming being given to her nervous system.
The invitation therefore becomes… to linger longer. .
From corporate lawyer to full time writer, Julia Mathison, in this 11 MIN EP, shares the benefit and rewards offered us when we push through and stay a bit longer in something, and the support we may be giving to another person by being that one person willing to linger with them.
Always a personal musing, featuring personal preferences, with a desired message to be kind, follow your hearts direction and accept the calling of your innate gifts.
REFERENCES:
ETHAN HAWKE interview with @gponemorequestion on Instagram
POET - DAVID WHYTE
SERIES - TED LASSO
ADVICE UNKNOWN - Always let the child determine when to come out of the hug.
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