“Whatever you focus on increases.”
There are a million versions of this idea out there; the above is sort of mine but mostly Laura Doyle’s. The link is to the post I received today, but she’s said this many times, in many contexts.
There’s some real truth (as opposed to unreal truth?) in this saying, but I want to focus first on how it can be false, since we humans always take thing too far. It’s false if taken in the sense of magical thinking, the idea that your thoughts can actually change external reality–“If I think this hard enough it will come true.”
It’s also false if it doesn’t take into account a very uncomfortable truth about us here human beings: that we have a sin nature. I believe this as a Christian, as that is what the Bible teaches, and, honestly, I’d have to believe it just by looking at the world around me, at the status quo (“the mess we’s in,” as the old preacher said).
And finally, it’s false if used as a means to ignore mistakes, evil, injustice, etc., in the name of not wanting to be negative. (“Well, yes, I’m in jail for a crime I didn’t commit, but hey–the food here is pretty good.”)
But, having made those exceptions, I would say that this is a very useful principle to carry around in one’s head. It can sound pretty Pollyanna-ish to say “think about the good things in your life,” but that’s actually a legitimate, helpful strategy. (I’m going to post about the “real” Pollyanna sometime and why she’s gotten such a bad rap.) Work as hard as you can to right the wrongs that should be righted, to do the tasks that you need to do, to stay true to your principles, but try to keep your life in perspective. There are always blessings for which to be grateful. There are always signs of hope. There are always helpful, positive actions you can take. What are they?
Focus is especially helpful in relationships. There are irritations and frustrations in the best ones, and good to be found even in the worst ones. At the very least, you can always remind yourself that that person has a soul and is made in the image of God, and that you can have some role in his or her life. Not always an easy thought to hang onto in the midst of crisis, but there it is.
Where’s your focus?