Another world Quote by George Sheehan
““When I was young, I was afflicted with what my aunt called “convenient deafness.” I still am. I have the ability to tune out what is going on around me. It is normal for me to retreat inside myself and become less and less aware of my surroundings. If I am in a group and not talking, do not suppose I am listening. I am “away.” I am off in another world. Off in my natural habitat, my mind. Being””
About This Quote
Source Book: Running and Being, George Sheehan, 1972
He describes a habitual mental retreat, a self‑imposed deafness to external noise.
In simple terms: He often tunes out the world.
Key Takeaway
Practice mindful presence when needed.
Themes
focus
mindfulness
social interaction
self‑awareness
solitude
Mood
contemplative
introspective
Type
personal
reflective
When to use this quote
- team meetings
- social gatherings
- meditation practice
- creative work
Key Concepts
cognitive filtering
psychological coping
attention management
Questions to Reflect On
- When does withdrawal help versus hinder?
- How can you balance inner focus with external engagement?
A Different Perspective
Complete disengagement may hinder relationships and opportunities.
![“[The Utopia of Rules] should offer a challenge to us all. Should we just accept this bureaucracy as inevitable? Or is there a way to get rid of all those hours spent listening to bad call-centre music? Do policemen, academics, teachers and doctors really need to spend half their time filling in…” quote by Gillian Tett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/223/gillian-tett-57286_accepting_the-utopia-of-rules-should-offer-a-chall_39418.jpg)
