I often sit and think. When I do this more times than not I am focusing on the troubles I have. I focus on things that are stressful and for the most part I can’t control. Occasionally I will sit and think about what has gone right. What I have achieved what I have accomplished. These mornings make for better days, better interactions, and better results.
I have found if you look for bad you will find it. If I look at this job I’m on and think of all of the things that can go wrong I will find them. If I think of all of the things that can break then I will find all of the broken bits. If I focus on the negative of the job I will see all of the negative very easily. On the other hand if I focus on the good it becomes more easy to find. If I look at all of the parts that are working right then I realize there are more right than wrong and if I concentrate on the greatness of the way this unit does it’s job and achieves its goal then I can see all of the positives on the job.
Something else I have noticed is that all parts of life are this way. Let’s take relationships for example. When you first fall in love you overlook all of the flaws all of the problems because in the other person you see the good you see your future. After a while these flaws that you have overlooked are still there but you begin to focus on them. Now they are under a magnifying glass and become the focal point of all of your attention. Once you are solely focused on these flaws these shortcomings it’s all you can see. This causes you to change things that may not need to be changed. To run away from your future because the other person didn’t meet your expectations. To give up on a future of happiness and joy because of something that in the grand scheme of things may be inconsequential in two months.
What about family. How many of us can find fault in our family, how many of can find greatness in those same people? Do we focus on the things they do wonderfully or do we put all of our attention on the things that aggravate us? Do we say I really love when she does this, or wow she is really great at that? Or is it always I can’t believe she’s late again, he is always in such a bad mood, I don’t know why they even come? How about we focus on the situation as a whole. She’s always late but her biscuits make it worth it. He’s always so grumpy but he’s ready to help whenever anything comes up. I don’t even know why they come, but I sure am glad they do. I bet that could change get togethers at Grandma’s on the holidays couldn’t it?
Now I’m not saying we overlook all of the bad parts and live in a mind made utopia that only we exist in. I am saying life is like a movie or a play you have to take in the good and the bad examine the situation as a whole before making rash decisions over little sticking points that you’ll regret in the future. Stop, think, and then take action. Too many times we as a culture never stop never think and only react. God calls us to love and to forgive this is something we should all practice more now than ever before.
bradglenn79 