ADD or Audiophile?

I think that staying focused only on the music is hard for many of the reasons that folks have shared, But I also think that it is something we can gently push back on if we would like to stay more music focused. I was lousy at meditation - my mind drifted towards my random thoughts so easily, and I was frustrated by what a battle it was to keep focusing on my breathing. 

But focusing on music is actually easier for me. When I do inevitably drift away towards some thoughts or worries, gently bringing myself back to the music is easier and more fulfilling than bringing myself back to my breathing. Also, for the last few years, I write something about each piece of music I listen to in my listening room. I keep a journal next to the chair, and I find that listening, and then writing about what I just heard (one album side at a time, usually) keeps me in conversation with myself about music. For me, it helps.

If that all seems like too much work, I understand. There is certainly no harm done doing more than one thing, if you like them both. We really only do one thing at a time, anyway. We just switch focus so rapidly that it seems like more than one...

The "eyes closed" effect doesn't work for me as well as just looking at the gear. Weird, huh?

@ezstreams If I’m reading, I’m not really listening, and the music is in the background of my mind. Like you, I’m often reading, if an album is playing, I’m often reading liner notes, same with CDs, if they have extensive note pages with instruments and instrumentalists, recording engineers, studios, producers, etc. I’m often on the phone checking the Forum, sales adds, or emails, etc. But the whole time I’m doing this, I feel like I’m betraying the musicians, as if I’m whipping out my phone during a live performance. So after a while, in order to resolve my dilemma, I either change the station and put the phone up; or decide to shut the system down and get back to work or go to bed. 
 

I blame the paucity of really good music in my rather small selection. I need to organize what I already have and work toward building up a decent library, or cough up the dough to subscribe to a decent music service beyond Pandora, Amazon, YoiTube, and Internet radio. I’ve always been a casual listener, but I enjoy and appreciate good sound. Not quite an audiophile, yet. 

@curiousjim 

Ahhh, time to invest in a great chair. I’m actually not being a wise ass (😊)… I have an issue that makes sitting uncomfortable. So, with lots of thought, and a new chair… problem solved.

The proper chair is very important.