Attention is the ultimate form of generosity.

In a world where we can send instant messages, likes, and digital gifts with a single tap, true attention has become our scarcest resource. When we truly attend to someone – their words, their presence, their being – we give them something precious: our undivided self.

Think about the last time someone really listened to you. Not the distracted half-listening while checking a phone, but complete presence. They witnessed your words, your pauses, your unspoken thoughts. How rare was that moment? How valuable did it feel?

To give attention is to essentially say: "Of all the things I could be focusing on right now – my phone, my thoughts, my endless to-do list – I choose you." It's a profound act of respect and care. In giving our attention, we give pieces of our finite life, moments we can never get back.

This generosity flows both ways. When we offer real attention, we often receive unexpected gifts in return: deeper connections, fresh insights, and moments of genuine human connection. We notice the subtle revelations that hide in ordinary conversations. We see the light in someone's eyes when they feel truly heard.

Perhaps the greatest irony is that in an age of unprecedented connectivity, this simplest form of generosity – just being fully present with another person – has become one of our most precious gifts.