What You Focus On, You Become.

“What you focus on, you become.” - This statement is not a new concept to me. However, for the past few weeks it remains an idea that I simply cannot extract from my thought process.My life is transitioning and happening fast. The change appears to be one that is exceptionally strategic and intentional. I continue to be unaware of all the answers and plans involved in the shift taking place, but how much I know is irrelevant compared to where I choose to maintain my focus.

Knowing that I will be stepping into something new relatively soon, I have experienced a few sleepless nights as my mind has stewed while a few tears have been shed. I began to have an irrational fear that I would be forced to settle in life and not have the opportunity to live out who I was created to be and leave my mark on the world. ‘Irrational fear’ is an understatement, knowing that this is absolutely impossible, I think I was just feeling a bit overwhelmed. I had to choose to make a mindset shift quick. If I continued to process from a place of fear how could I step into my hope and my future? A future with a promise to prosper? (This is not the first time in my life I have had to change my thought process)

Recognizing that this was not a mentality in which I could thrive, I took a step back. I had to simply lift up my hands and realize that I was completely and utterly dependent on God to strategically set up my next season, rather than myself. Immediately, I experienced a weight being removed from my shoulders and a hopeful anticipation renewed. Since that moment, I have pursued that which has been placed before me. Still no great answers, but extreme peace in exchange. Doors have begun to open and I remain in a place of astonishment, expecting that the best is still yet to come. Still proactive in my pursuit while remaining dependent, the only doors I long to walk through are the doors that no man can shut, and ones that no man can open. His timing and plan is perfect.

Being one that can easily slip into an attention span similar to a 10 year old boy who is experiencing the peak of a sugar rush, I have learned that there are specific things I can do to aid in maintaing my focus. I am highly visual. It is not unusual for me to create lists for even the most absurd of categories - they help me. I have lists to stay on task for my week, but I also have lists that I believe have the power to enhance my dreams and my destiny. Some of these I share and some are simply between myself and God. I’ve even taken one of my list and created a vision board that I look at every day. It’s updated regularly and located where I see it often, it is impossible to ignore what is inside of me. Taking a moment each day to focus on the dreams, ambitions, and promises over my life allow me to constantly acknowledge what God is doing. It is also a reminder of what a friend and wonderfully, wise man once told me - “never wait for tomorrow to live out today’s destiny.” You see, rather than waiting to arrive and hit your peak, each day is an opportunity to live in a way that gets you once step closer to the end goal. Constantly moving forward. There is purpose in the process.

Our mentality materializes our movement.

Our perception of the environment around us has a dramatic impact in regards to how we choose to interact with life and the cards that we are dealt. I stand strong on my belief that we have a choice when it comes to what lens we see through. Though we are often conditioned by past experiences, we are not void of the option to switch the shades we are wearing. Sometimes it’s not as easy as it would be to just pop over to Lens Crafters for a new pair of glasses, but the possibility is still tangible.

The idiom “rose colored glasses” came to mind. I feel like every time that term has been referenced, at least in my experience, there has been a glimpse of a snide undertone involved. Somewhere along the way, expecting the best of all possible situations and maintaining an optimistic view has unfortunately become something that many scoff at and respond with a statement similar to “well that’s just not reality.” Yes, there is evil in the world, and yes, bad things will happen - but the more momentum you have when a hurdle is placed in front of you, the less of a challenge it will be to jump over it.

I don’t think it is any coincidence that I love all things pink and highly value optimism. I’ll wear rose colored glasses any day. I expect to experience good things in my life and I do. However, my life is not absent of things that I'm not fond of. Crap happens, but sometimes it’s that very crap that makes the best fertilizer and produces the most significant growth. If you choose to simply focus on the crap, you are going to be wearing a dirty diaper for quite a long time. Let me know how that works out for you.

You see what you choose to see.

If you only recognize that which is negative, you are going to live a pretty disappointing life because nothing will ever seem to measure up. How miserable. You can never fully experience the goodness of God because you are stuck thinking about what you are waiting for Him to do and what you cannot see rather than expressing thankfulness for promises and prayers already fulfilled.

Our perception of the environment around us has a dramatic impact in regards to how we choose to interact with life and the cards that we are dealt. We will either respond (origin meaning ‘to answer’) or react (origin meaning ‘done again’). In other words, we will answer with a solution or repeat the cycle.

Think about the term “focal point” from the perspective of how it is applied when referencing an earthquake. An earthquake starts below the earth’s surface at the focus or epicenter. The severity of the earthquake is determined by the energy originated at the origin. Upon the release of energy, waves are sent out which is the shaking movement that is felt. So now, take that illustration and visualize from a personal standpoint. You are the earthquake. What kind of energy is being determined based on your focal point and upon that conclusion, what kind of waves are being felt? Earthquakes are forces of nature that have the potential to devastate with a high enough magnitude. However, in comparison to the nature that we choose to live, the earthquakes created by our individual lives have the capacity to be devastatingly wonderful. It’s all dependent on what is radiating from our focus.

I make no claims to have it all together. I am simply speaking from a place of living on both sides of the spectrum and from a heart where I have experienced the power of the mind. Sometimes it boils down to whether our mentality has been developed from truth or from lies. I challenge whoever is reading this to ask themselves, “What is captivating my focus?” Is your perspective rooted in truth or are you seeing through clouds of lies? Are these things beneficial? Is that which you are focusing on bringing you closer to that innate feeling of “wow, I was born exactly for this?” Are you experiencing waves of life or destroying the world around you one thought at a time?

If you do begin to realize that you might be do for a mentality transplant, step back and position yourself in a posture of thankfulness. I personally find it difficult to be thankful and negative at the same time. If you are visual like myself, make some lists, set goals, and draw out the gold inside yourself that is waiting to be discovered. This is an instance when the grass is truly greener on the other side. Put on those 'rose colored glasses' and hop the fence.

You become what you think about the most. Who do you want to be?