Attention is the act of focusing your mind on something, or the notice, care, or interest that someone gives.
It comes from Latin *attentio*, from *attendere* 'to stretch toward', from *ad-* 'to' and *tendere* 'to stretch'. The image is of stretching your mind toward an object.
Your attention is literally your life’s spotlight: whatever it shines on becomes your experience in that moment. Modern apps and ads are built to capture and hold that spotlight, which is why protecting it is a radical act of self-control.
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