“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”   – Henry David Thoreau

Our attention is fleeting.  Our world is cluttered with information, sights, sounds, and alerts.  We are easily distracted – from the ping, beep, and vibration of an iPhone to the ultra HD television monitor with Dolby surround sound.  Life is happening around us . . . what are we actually seeing.

Living a discipline-driven life is taking the time to focus on what is most important.  We look at everything; we are distracted by thousands of inputs throughout our day.  We must focus on what we want to see.  We must listen to what we need to hear.  We must feel the emotions we need to control and manage.  Create the time in your day – Press Pause – and get focused.

Building relationships is an investment; it is an investment of attention, care, and character in someone else.  You must see the individual you are talking to, hear their words, and understand their emotions to build the requisite foundation for trust.  Keep your eyes and ears open . . . truly hear and see the people in your life.