Yesterday, me and the dog strolled across the green light at the pedestrian crossing. A lady in a Volvo nearly ran us over. How so? No driver behind the wheel—she was completely lost in her phone.
Luckily, I've got this old habit. I always look the approaching driver in the face. Even if I have to turn my head for a car coming from the side-rear.
It's crucial to figure out if the driver noticed me or not.
When I used to drive, certain pedestrians would astonish me. They'd cross the road, looking ahead proudly. Wanted to shout at them, "Are you made of rubber? Or do you have 9 lives in reserve like a cat?"
I owe this habit to riding a motorcycle. There you realize you have to watch not just yourself but literally everyone around. And several steps ahead.
The reason is the asymmetry of consequences. A collision can kill or disable a biker, but leaves the driver with only a scare and a damaged door.
But heightened attention is apt not only on the road. An elite athlete, a surgeon, or an entrepreneur would confirm this. Spiritual practices and religions also teach that without mindfulness, there's no life.
For instance, in Ancient Mesopotamia, the supreme god Marduk defeated Tiamat, a dragon-goddess of the primordial chaos-ocean. In addition to lips ablaze with fire, he possessed 4 enormous ears and 4 all-seeing eyes. Marduk was aware of it all.
"Don't fear anything. But stay vigilant," my therapist used to say.
Sincerely yours,
-Alexander
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