Paying attention to your attraction

Dear Aditya,

Imagine you are underwater, cruising through the deep, dark ocean where sunlight doesn't reach. Suddenly, a tiny flicker of light grabs your attention. It's mysterious, a little hypnotic. That's the female Cuttlefish, showing off her glowing headlamp like it's the hottest new trend, but spoiler alert: it's a trap!

She uses that glow to lure in dinner, fish that think they've found an easy snack, only to end up as hers. This sneaky tactic is pure survival.

But here's the thing, what if we thought about attraction the same way in our own lives?

Are We Being Pulled in the Right Direction?

It's easy to get drawn to something shiny, a new job offer, a fast relationship, or even a cool gadget we "just need." We're constantly being lured by things that seem exciting in the moment, but they might not actually lead us where we want to go.

Purposeful Attraction

In nature, attraction always serves a purpose, survival, food, mating. In our world, we have the luxury of choice. We get to decide what to be attracted to, whether it's meaningful connections, success, or personal growth.

Here's a quick tool, the "Attraction Compass", for you to navigate your next attraction:

Think of a compass with four directions:

Immediate Satisfaction , For things that feel good now but might not last. Example: You're drawn to a high-paying job, but the work doesn't align with your values.

Long-Term Benefit , For things that take time but benefit you in the long run. Example: Starting a passion project that may take effort but brings fulfillment over time.

Aligned with Values , Attractions that match your core beliefs. Example: A friendship with someone who shares your values like honesty and creativity.

Unaligned with Values , Things that are exciting but go against your true self. Example: An exciting opportunity that promotes competition, but you value collaboration.

How to Use It? Think about what's attracting you, map it on the compass and see: Is this short-term excitement or long-term benefit? Does it fit with my values, or not?

Let the compass lead you from attraction to fulfillment!

In fratitude,
adi