Being Aware and A Very Simple Thing

How many times have you said to yourself- “Be aware of your surroundings! Pay attention! Watch what your doing! Stay in the moment! Get your head out of the clouds! Wake up! ”

We question if we left the iron or coffeepot on, locked the door, feed the dog, or a myriad of things. We listen to people talk, nod our heads with every exclamation and yet find ourselves embarrassed when we realize we didn’t hear a word they said. .

It can even be a little freaky. For instance, we can drive home the way we do everyday, and when we arrive- we don’t actually remember the trip. But, we make it home safe and without incident. And how about the scenario where some situation is exposed and we’re stunned because we didn’t see the signs or notice there was a problem? Where were we? Why didn’t we see it? It was right in front of us. It’s as if we’re in a hypnotic state and the real world just vanished.

Of course there are a lot of variables that can cause these things but the truth is we actually are in a hypnotic state when we zone out. It’s like being asleep- yet we’re wide-awake and functioning. To degrees, we actually put our selves into that state of ‘hypnosis’ everyday in the process of our work. It can be a tool that works for us or against us.

Psychiatrists call this altered state of consciousness a fugue state. In extremes it’s actually related to Dissociative Amnesia. It can be chemically induced and highly obvious with drug and alcohol abusers. They frequently have what is called ‘black-outs’ and never remember a thing they did or said under the influence. But, the disconnection (lack of awareness) that I focus on here is just related to simple everyday stress levels and a busy life that keep us from noticing things that are important.

For most of us, zoning out is certainly not because we lack interest or concern. Our brains are multi-tasking and our thoughts in overdrive. We just have to keep it in check. How aware we are, especially with friends and family, is the single most important gift we can give them and ourselves.

I had a friend email yesterday. We’re doing a project together. He was aware I had been sick and just wanted to make sure I was okay now. It was a simple thing but it really made me feel good, you know?

‘Being aware’ was the stimulus for the painting at the top. It’s a very simple painting and very simply idea, but being aware is also the most important thing that connects us to each other. How aware do you consider yourself?

Vikki
My painting is entitled ‘Aware’ and part of the Red Chair Series. It's a a symboic representation of the human condition. It is 18”x24” Acrylic on stretched canvas. The original is $290.

Please visit The Red Chair Gallery. 10% off all prices (prints not included) until Dec. 1, 2008. You can contact me Here.