Did I just run a stop sign?!

If you sometimes have trouble staying present, there’s good news: March’s theme is “paying attention.” Here are some thoughts to ponder between services.

• Inattention can lead to anything from minor personal inconveniences to unconscious support of systems of oppression.

• Unfortunately, paying attention can be very uncomfortable, especially for people who unconsciously benefit from privilege in our society.

• If you’re not choosing to actively pay attention, you are, by default, choosing to go through your life wearing blinders. This applies to activities large and small.

• You can pay attention to injustice without allowing yourself to be overwhelmed by it. (Easier said than done, I know.)

• Becoming more attentive is a spiritual practice, since it helps you identify opportunities to live out your Unitarian Universalist values.

• It’s also a way to promote social justice: You can’t create change if you’re unaware of situations that need changing!

So what can you do to baby-step your way to greater awareness? 

— Submitted by Kathleen Mavity