Notes toward an essay on responsibility, part 2: paying attention

Being responsible is a fancy way of saying "being responsive". Being responsive means paying attention. Responsibility as a habit is the result of paying attention consistently. It's said success is turning up but I think success is in turning up consistently. Nothing more nothing less.

Attention is mostly physical. My physical presence is invited when I say 'I', 'me', 'mine'. When I say 'you' or 'we' I become a letcher or lecturer or something worse: I become a faceless nobody when I focus on you and yours and ours. You are none of my business.

Clarity of attention is invigorated by spacing out. I stare at the moon with my mouth open - I always find the moon astonishing - or I drink tea and sit on the floor. Crisp clear energy is created by being precisely vague.

Next up, notes toward an essay on responsibility part 3: taking responsibility.