Focus. It's a fantastic thing.
Focus creates success.
Focus enhances productivity.
I believe so much I wrote about it here before.
But I’m learning…too late, I know…that I focus on the wrong
thing…or too many things…or focus on stuff I have no control over. I also
forget the point of focusing…to see the detail, the texture, that you otherwise
would miss.
…after all, it’s that texture that gives close-up photos such interest, right? So why wouldn’t it give anything in life more interest?
Like…
Focus on what you are able to fix, and repair it.
I get paralyzed with fear/anxiety/whatever if I’m
overwhelmed and focus on the anxiety, focus on all the problems or deadlines. Instead, if I focus on one thing
(like this weed), I can understand what the problem is, and understand how to
solve it.
And, while I focus on on it, I may find that it is much
more textured than I thought…and some parts of the problem are actually
strengths! I mean look at the crown of this dandelion. It’s beautiful…and look
how the seeds are just waiting for the next wind to propel it to create
something new…there’s a whole world of inventions waiting just based on that
observation. I wouldn’t have even noticed it if I treated the whole weed as a
problem and just pulled it.
Focus on the beauty next to you, not the flaws
See the missing flower pedals? Me too. I actually tried to
find a photo with only open flowers and no ‘flaws’. But now I look at it and
think, “How beautiful are those flowers…and even more beautiful with the
texture of the ‘finished flowers’"
I can’t control when the wind comes, when the rain will
knock down these pedals, but I can choose to cherish the scent, the colors, and
the textures of what I do have in my life right now. I mean how awesome
is it to have 4 kids and a wife in a beautiful home and land? Why should
pressures at work, fears of ‘being valued’ matter when I’m next to them?
Focus on emerging opportunities
I could predict what will happen to these flower buds, but
why? I should focus on where they are at in their journey now…just like I
should focus on the journey my new opportunity is taking so I can learn, grow,
and become a better person from it. Could the emerging opportunity go sideways?
Not turn out like I thought? Sure. Most likely will. But I can find the
good and the growth in it anyway…and it shouldn’t for one minute distract my
focus from WHY I’m taking the opportunity (to be a better person, husband,
believer, father, writer, musician…).
Focus on strengths, experience, and value
I’m turning into an ‘old-timer’. Just like this old bench,
I’ve had many experiences that shape who I am today. I’ve got strengths
that provide unique value. However, I tend to focus on how I’m different from
all the new folks….how I’m not so polished. I should cherish that difference.
Be confident in what value I provide that compliments the value others
provide.
Focus on Random Beauty
This is a budding Sumac. This will last all of 3 days until
the leaves unfold. I never noticed it before, but it’s awesome. Instead of
focusing on how the sumac is moving across our prairie and could take over more
of our park than I want, at least for a while I can focus on the beauty it
brings…how it stands confidently and almost gives a middle finger to whatever
tries to get in its way. Maybe something to learn from.
Focus on Doing Things Differently
I know it’s a popular saying, but it seems to fit for me. If
I try to be somebody else, or try to do things the way others do it, I don’t do
it as well (whether it’s speaking, designing, playing guitar, etc). While the
path may suggest to do it one way, if I do it different, like create my own
arch over the path, I may annoy some, but I may create something beautiful that
wouldn’t have otherwise been possible.
Focus on the Beauty All Around You
I’ve built an awesome life (like this awesome pond I built
with my Dad). While some folks have their life planned out, mine seems to have
fallen haphazardly into place through a thousand little decisions (and a couple
big ones) that created the unique journey resulting in what we have now.
It’s beautiful. Wife, Kids, Home, Church, Music, Travel, Dog
(damn dog), all of it…beautiful.
Perfect? Nope. There are rocks and rapids, and some rotten
things flapping in the stream, but all of it adds texture. Gives it interest.
Creates the compelling story.
Which comes back to focus on the texture.
It’s the texture that brings interest.
It’s the texture that makes something beautiful.
So here’s to this awesome life…filled with texture…I
shouldn’t wish it any other way.
