Focused on Control

I rely on my ability to focus.

During any given day, I focus my mind on reading, on listening, on writing. I focus effort on getting out of bed in the morning, making sure that the tea is exactly right, being on time, on walking without tripping. I tend to focus a lot on words.

I pay attention to how things taste and smell, how they look and feel. I work hard focusing on results. Sometimes I focus more on problems than on solutions, on challenges more than opportunities.

I focus more time than I would like on shaving each day.

Some colors get my attention, like red and cobalt blue.

As I focus attention on my focus, I realize how much I focus on things I would like to understand. When my computer, my iPhone, or my iPad do not do what I expect them to do, I respond with focus. My focus changes from the results I hoped to gain to the process that is making things “not work.” I want to understand what is happening so I can fix it now and avoid it in the future.

I want life to be predictable, smooth, and easy. I want to get things done. My attention tends to focus on things that appear to be obstacles or challenges. I focus on them to try to understand, because I want to control the situation.

My desires for control tend to kick my focus into another gear. I focus, trying to figure out which switches and knobs, which apps will get me what I want.

The more I understand about my own focus, the better able I am to focus my attention on other people.

Where is your focus?

What are the qualities that attract your attention?

[Image by Kevin Dooley]