People everywhere are head down, lost in the oblivion of infinite scroll. Just stop and let the moment breathe | Justine Toh

The next time a waiter takes my order, I’ll ask for an empty cup of attention’ The image of the empty cup comes from Henry James’s novel The Wings of the Dove .

But that empty cup captures something I crave, both for my own presence of mind and in my relationships with others.

The prayer-as-birdwatcher isn’t entitled to spiritual insight but creates the right presence of mind so they’re primed for it anyway. Attention is a byproduct of that commitment. Everyone can start small. Putting down the device is a start. Then, the next time you’re outside, see if you can spot a bird soaring up high in the sky, watch it with intent, and remember: that’s the only wild animal we want taking our spirits along for the ride. - Justine Toh is senior fellow at the Centre for Public Christianity .