In the shadows of a concert hall a musician is poised before a piano waiting for the right moment to hit the first key. She examines the keyboard, reviews the sheet music takes a deep breath and dives in. While she is guided by her muse, it is the light the lets her see the key board and sheet music that she is playing. It makes no difference, if it is a plain piano lamp, multiple piano lamps or a diamond encrusted platinum piano lamp. As she is performing it is the light and the quality of the light that frees her, allows her to cover the keys and follow the notes. No doubt a beautiful lamp can be part of the ambiance and help set the tone, but it is what the lamp does that is important. The lamp shines on what is essential so the musician can better achieve their brilliance. It is like that with all aspects of life and the simple piano lamp and inspired musician provide a great metaphor some of life’s best lessons.

The lamp highlights what is important to the musician at the moment, often shining so bright in the darkened room that everything else seems to fade to black. In life, the most inspired moments are often like that, the focus so precise, the task at hand so clear that everything else fades by comparison. A lot of people have had moments like that, moments of such focus and intention that it is like having a spot light on the playing field, or, to extend the metaphor, a light on the music and the keys. A lot of folks have had moments like that when confronted with some major issue at work, or encountering something they are intensely passionate about, like a child or lover. Athletes often encounter the moment when everything fades but the path to the net, or the arc of the ball, or the gates on the downhill run.

Often in dangerous situations that kind of clarity appears. A lot of folks who have been in a car accident can recall how time seemed to slow down and what they needed to do to control the car was crystal clear, the color of the sky, the feel of the steering wheel, the open path on the cluttered street all suddenly seemed so clear. Our brains can accomplish rapid decision making, and intense concentration. When this happens, most people feel like it was an amazing experience that can only be felt in times of crisis.

What if people could conjure that kind of intense focus and concentration when ever they wanted it? A lot of folks would feel incredibly alive as the dullness and vagueness that afflicts so many people was washed away. Most people feel alive after handling a crisis because they were required to pay 100% attention. That is something possible for everyone all the time with a little attention and strong intention.

Centering our attention like a beam of light on what is right in front of us can begin to bring back that sense of aliveness. Centering the attention on the present moment helps reduce the commotion around us and keeps us poised like brilliant musicians playing the music in front of us.