The Reticular Activating System, Caregiving, and the Messages We Notice

What happens when the things we focus on begin appearing everywhere around us?

In this episode of In The In Between, Richard Jabbour reflects on the reticular activating system and the idea that attention shapes perception. Through personal stories connected to caregiving, memory, and unexpected human connection, he explores how certain thoughts, people, and experiences seem to return to us once our minds become open to them.

This episode covers:

The concept of the reticular activating system and selective attention
Why “what you focus on expands” may shape everyday experience
A deeply personal caregiving moment that changed the course of life
The emotional impact of receiving difficult news unexpectedly
How memory, familiarity, and coincidence reconnect people over time
Remaining open to relationships, patterns, and meaningful connection

This episode is for people thinking about:

Caregiving and emotional resilience
Behavioral patterns and perception
The relationship between focus and decision-making
Human connection, memory, and awareness
Personal philosophy grounded in lived experience

Timestamps:

00:00 — Introduction and the caregiver’s journey
00:51 — The reticular activating system explained
01:40 — A personal caregiving story and unexpected diagnosis
03:08 — How thoughts and attention influence experience
03:38 — A Memphis connection and openness to people
04:54 — An unexpected reunion in the office
05:57 — The universe, awareness, and meaningful coincidence
06:17 — Why focus shapes what returns to you

Links:

The Caregiver’s Journey referenced in this episode is linked in the original video description.
https://substack.jabbourluxurygroup.com/p/chapter-one-the-first-time-the-universe

#BehavioralEconomics
#Caregiving
#DecisionMaking
#LifeDecisions
#MarketPsychology