Happy Monday!
I can’t believe it’s the last week of July! This summer has already been a whirlwind of activities. Many have been traveling or have plans to do so, while others are content with a nice quiet stay-cation. I’m hearing about quite a bit of good self-care happening and am delighted that you’re choosing to honor yourselves in healthy ways. Adequate rest and a healthy lifestyle add to the quality of our lives and make choices and focus easier to access and implement.
Like many of you, I am busy. Most days and weekends are trending to be the same. So, after a particularly packed Saturday, I spent some time in quiet contemplation. It was Sunday, and I was alone. It was conducive to a time of prayer and meditation. Usually, my mind flips scenes like magazine pages. This time, however, I chose to minimize the background noise and focus on listening.
Listening to the stillness brought a profound sense of calm and allowed for some fairly deep questions. I reordered my thoughts, prompting a new opportunity for focus and choices. It felt like a fog was lifting, and I was able to make cognitive decisions that involved integrating my heart in a way that felt complete. I tend to intellectualize things and then wonder why I have trouble bringing my heart in line.
The message I received was that I had it backward! Now, I fancy myself as pretty stable and able to think clearly. This time I was stunned by what I perceived to be a new truth to embrace. It’s simple, really. All the logic in the world cannot be sensical if our hearts are an afterthought. If our focus is by choice and we choose the healthy, positive, affirming, and move from a place of kindness, our thoughts will follow the same pattern.
I took this picture about a month ago when my girls and I met with someone special (I refer to her as my adopted Hawaiian Princess, middle child) as she prepared to leave for new adventures in another state:
As you can see, the blackboard includes several of my favorite disciplines: focus, choice, love, and growth. These are elements we can all implement in our lives to enrich our experiences and maintain control over negativity.
Following are some thoughts from others who choose similar views:
“Always remember, your focus determines your reality.” George Lucas
“It’s only after you’ve stepped outside your comfort zone that you begin to change, grow, and transform.” Roy T. Bennett
“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” Viktor E Frankl
Scripture adds to our understanding:
“I am now giving you the choice between life and death, between God’s blessing and God’s curse, and I call heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Choose life.” Deuteronomy 30:19 (GNT)
“You will succeed in whatever you choose to do, and light will shine on the road ahead of you.” Job 22:28 (NKJV)
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,” Philippians 3:13 (NKJV)
“I pray that your love will keep on growing because of your knowledge and insight.” Philippians 1:9 (GW)
Our choices and focus determine what we grow. So, this week, let’s look at what we’re growing. Perhaps we need to refocus and begin with hearts full of love. Maybe we can shift some of our negative defaults to edifying and affirming ones. The opportunities are plentiful. Take some time and quietly focus on what you choose to grow.
Have a lovely week choosing to focus and find new growth!
Be Well & Be Blessed!
Lucinda
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