1. paying attention - Noun
2. paying attention - Adjective
taking heed; giving close and thoughtful attention
paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
Source: WordNetThe simple act of paying attention can take you a long way. Keanu Reeves
I envy paranoids; they actually feel people are paying attention to them. Susan Sontag
I think the one lesson I have learned is that there is no substitute for paying attention. Diane Sawyer
Women. You tell me they're not all witches, and I'll tell you you haven't been paying attention. Charlie Huston
If you're paying attention to your wardrobe, Rudy believed, your mind isn't sufficiently occupied. Jack McDevitt
Nothing is boring exept to people who aren't really paying attention. Michael Chabon