When I was in Spanish class in high school I would often daydream or write notes to the girl across the aisle. Though I responded to her admonishment, I failed to understand the significance of her words at the time. Attention was more than just listening to her lecture. It was the basis of my entire experience. What I attended to, or noticed, shaped what I learned, felt, understood, thought and did.
Life is attention.
The story, characters and plot attract our attention like a magnet. For a few moments it is as if we don't exist apart from the film. When there is suspense, we feel tense. When there is humor we laugh. When there is tragedy, our hearts melt and tears roll down our cheeks.