For over two centuries, warning signs have been posted at railroad crossings; the most famous, and still in use, is the “Stop. Look. Listen.” crossbar sign. It is a good life lesson, too. The words admonish us to pay attention. Good advice. Especially now. In our current chaos.

I have a friend who does just that. She pays attention. No matter how busy she is or the busy swirl around her, when we talk, she stops. She looks. At me. She listens. To me. It is not that I am all that special. She does that for everyone when she is engaged in conversation with them.

Some years ago, at a large conference, I reconnected with a long-time friend; well as it turned out more like an acquaintance. We seemed glad to greet each other and immediately began catching up — until he saw others he knew. As we talked, he kept looking over my shoulder, still trying to continue our conversation, while waving, or nodding to passersby. He was not paying attention.

To pay attention costs. Isn’t that why it is termed “Pay” attention? It costs time and effort; you give up other shiny things for the one thing to focus on. It is not easy. Today’s culture, shaped by television-and-movie-crafteded visuals, hones us down to 15- second or fewer attention spans. This process conditions our minds to rely on rapidly changing sights and sounds.

It is not only for danger or hazards that we should stop. Look. Listen. We miss a great deal of life if we don’t pay attention to the little things. Think of the last time you stopped, sat down just to absorb the moment. Did you feel your breathing? Did you cherish its dependable lifegiving value? When did you look at living things on your lawn–butterflies flitting from one blossom to another: bees sipping nectar, taking it to their beehive? Or upon opening your front door, did you listen to the outdoors? –cicadas, the birds (yes, they are still out there and singing), the breeze in the trees? 

People may not remember what you said to them, but they will always remember who you were to them. You were present. You saw them. You paid attention to them. You listened with your heart as well as with your ears and eyes. You paid attention.

©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2026