Our ever-increasing digital world is great, but it has several flaws. One major issue is that with social media and an abundance of information you can lose your focus on what’s really important by looking, commenting and reacting to someone else. You can only control you. I heard a quote in a Star Wars movie, “Your focus determines your destiny”. I love that. It’s so true! We love to pass the blame on to others, and the word ‘acceptance’ now has vastly different meanings.
We all make excuses, in just about ANY aspect of our lives, but especially regarding our unhealthy or healthy lifestyle. While I readily recognize that not everyone will look like a supermodel, or have a private jet, or own their own island, when we see or participate in massive backlash, it may not be them, but we should look at your own focus. Just like driving, stay in your own lane.
I believe it’s human nature to focus on what you don’t have. Much of my life, everywhere I went I was reminded how tall everyone was around me. Am I particularly short? No. Do I live in an abnormally tall society? No. How about another example. February 14th. You will either associate this day with Valentine’s Day, or resort to calling it “Single Awareness Day” because we tend to focus on what we don’t have. It’s all about our perception or focus.
I’m reminded of a video that talks about this phenomenon of focusing on what we don’t have, or what’s missing, called, “The Missing Tile Syndrome“.
Our focus determines our reality. When we focus on our dreams we will be more likely to achieve our dreams, or at least more than we would’ve. If we focus on all the ‘don’t haves’ we’ll become bitter, hateful and miserable. When we come from a place of gratitude and acknowledge what we have, but what we also want to work towards, we can set more accurate goals. Too often, goals are set or created from the head space of what you don’t have. It’s not a surprise that these goals don’t have the staying power to create lasting change. Negativity rarely produces the driving forces needed to achieve something great.
How about we give ourselves a break and focus on what we DO have, which is SO much. Take time to reflect on our blessings each day. And with our minds right, set goals for ourselves that will challenge us mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally.
Remember, you are amazing!
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