Self Improvement > Attraction > Focus of Our Attention
0
Reviews [ add review ],
Article rating : 0.00, 0 votes. Author : Jeanie Marshall
The focus of our attention determines our life experiences. Where we
put our attention, we put our energy. Where we put our attention, we put our consciousness. We draw into our lives the thing to
which we give our attention, whether we want it or not. We seed the thing or idea that has our attention. That seed grows into the experiences of everyday life.
Light and Dark; Positive and Negative
There is a light side and a dark side to every part of life. Or we might say
that everything has both
a positive and a negative side or aspect. Without the light and the dark
(or positive and negative),
life could not exist as we know it. The opportunity exists for personal
choice of focus on either the
positive or the negative. We can choose to see and expand the
darkness or the lightness of each
situation, each relationship, each moment. We can choose to focus on
the negative or the positive in
each person -- both exist. We can choose to illuminate the bad or the
good in every situation. It is
an individual choice, constantly evoked by our focus of attention.
We can be positive and happy simply because we make that choice,
dependent on nothing else. That to
which we give our attention grows and grows. A little flaw becomes a big
one as we talk about it. The
flaw gains greater momentum with each telling, drawing to us others
who are fascinated by the flaw.
As the fascination grows, we see the same or similar flaws in others. So,
too, a good point becomes
an enormous asset as we focus on it and give it attention through our
observations, thoughts, and
conversations.
Attention: A Matter of Choice
Every decision is a choice. Where we put our attention can be a life-
changing choice. Our attention
steers our path and directs our thoughts. Sometimes it appears that we
do not have a choice about
where we place our attention. Sometimes we need a reminder. I remind
you and encourage you to remind
yourself and others: "you have a choice." Choose to place your attention
on what you want. Give your
attention to what you appreciate. Fill your thoughts with what you want to
expand.
One of my regular clients -- an organization consultant -- called me,
frustrated and angry about
the overwhelming number of demands on his time. Six projects were
due in the same week. I allowed
him a few minutes of panicky explanations. Then I asked him to take a
few deep breaths and assisted
him to become centered. I knew in his accelerated frenetic state the only
way for him to complete all
his responsibilities on time was to slow down. We breathed together. As
he focused on his breathing,
he released his resistance. We joined our consciousness in a solution
rather than in the crisis.
As soon as he was out of the crisis mode and emitting a smoother
vibration, he was able to see
clearly his path out of the mess. As he gave his full attention to the clarity
he was seeking, he
energized clear thinking. He knew what to do. I offered several
suggestions related to order,
sequence, delegation, and self-care strategies. However, he freed
himself from the panic when he gave
his full attention to calming himself down by turning inside himself to
become centered and clear.
He refocused his attention from the outer to the inner, which raised his
vibration and strengthened
him to respond more effectively to his current situation. He called me two
days later to report that
he completed five of his projects on time and got a three-day extension
on the sixth one, with no
inconvenience to his client.
Attention Expands the Thing
The thing which has our attention grows and attracts additional similar
experiences. The thing grows
in our awareness and in our reality. The vibration of our energy field
harmonizes with the vibration
of the focus of our attention.
Many years ago, I purchased my first car. Before I decided to buy a car, I
was aware that there were
Fords and Chevrolets and Chryslers and Saabs and a few other makes
and models. My knowledge was
general and shallow; my interest was mild. A car provided
transportation.
I considered that I would buy a Chevrolet. Suddenly, I could see
Chevrolets everywhere! Based on what
I saw, I identified what I wanted and what I did not want. Cars -- most
specifically Chevrolets --
had my attention. I was vibrating to Chevrolets and they came out to
meet me on the road.
Many times I have experienced this phenomenon in even more
profound ways. That is, I have been
unaware of a thing, then I become aware, and then I notice aspects of
the thing that were unavailable
to me before. Or I notice that the thing has many nuances I had not
considered. When I began to apply
this realization to other parts of my life, I began to recognize that
manifestation is a direct result
of the focus of my attention. Before that, I believed that life was a series
of random occurrences.
When I give my attention to the light or positive side of a thing, it
becomes more a part of my world.
When I give my attention to the negative or lack of that thing, the
negative or lack becomes part of my
world. My attention is an act of creation. My attention creates and attracts
my experiences.
Right or Wrong; Good or Bad
Many people debate the classic question: "Is there an absolute right and
wrong?" Or, "Is there an absolute
good and bad?" However, I think it is more empowering to rephrase the
question: "Is my
attention on what makes
me feel good or what makes me feel bad?" Or, "Is this right or wrong for
me right now?" Since both sides of
every duality exist for every part of life, we make a choice as we are
faced with each part of life, hundreds
of times a day. The variety helps us to choose.
Keep in mind that we exchange energy with the thing or idea that has
our attention. If our attention is on
what is "right" or "good" or what we consider is "right" or "good" or what
feels "right" or "good," we
energize that. So too, if our attention is on what is "wrong" or "bad" or
what we consider is "wrong" or
"bad," or what feels "wrong" or "bad," we energize that. The thing or
aspect to which we give our attention
expands. Its vibration expands in our energy field.
Where is your attention?
Pros And Cons
It is very popular to consider the "pros and cons" of various choices of a
decision we are facing. That is, we look at what we like and what we do
not like about each option. We often call this "weighing" the pros and
cons. Management specialists even teach the value of preparing a chart
so that all the positives go in the plus column and all the negatives go in
the minus column. The chart is powerfully visual. The problem is, it is
also powerfully creative.
For example, if we have charted three scenarios from which we will
select one and we see all the pros and cons of the three scenarios, no
matter which one we choose, we are drawing to us both the pros and
the cons. We send out mixed messages when we give our attention to
the positive and negative aspects equally.
When we take the time to shift the negative items on the list to the
positive column, we can take this process to the next step. To shift each
negative to a positive is very empowering. When we cannot keep our
attention on the positive, we can shift it to the positive. Without this
additional step, every choice we bring into our life weighing the pros
and cons will manifest with pros and cons. Pros and cons have our
attention; both expand.
An even better approach is to stay focused on the positive aspects of the
three scenarios. Keep adding more positive items until they are
exhausted. And then add more. What happens is that the internal
thought processes convert a potential negative item to a positive one so
that the item will make the list. If we feel we are finished with the list, we
are ready to make a selection. If we feel uncomfortable because
something is left unsaid, then there is space to say the unsaid thing
which, of course, will be negative. By then, we are so accustomed to
thinking of items to go on the positive side of the list that usually the shift
to a positive idea is swift.
Where is your attention?
Appreciating the Whole Thing
A long-time client reported a significant experience. She had repeatedly
been reprimanded by her boss, which had led to an uncomfortable
dynamic in their relationship. This has often been the focus of our
consultation work together, discussing many possible solutions.
She described several things he had done and said the day before.
Ordinarily she would have reacted negatively to him, possibly creating
an argument. This time, she decided not to dissect the events by calling
them "right" or "wrong," "good" or "bad." She made a choice to give her
attention to the whole. She said, "I just appreciated the whole thing." She
stepped back and appreciated the experience. Wholeness and
appreciation had her attention.
Wow! What a profound shift she had made: she moved her attention
away from the fragmented parts she had judged negatively and moved
her attention to the whole, without judgment. Her shift created good
feelings in her, which she named "appreciation." Stepping from specific
aspects that are annoying to a more general or broader view often
assists us in experiencing a good or positive feeling.
We can all open our consciousness greatly by simply appreciating an
experience. To this I apply the current cliche "being in the flow." By that I
mean that "being in the flow" is more than a mere excuse for doing or
not doing something. I mean that life is flowing, energy is moving, and
we are empowered. We have given our attention to the whole.
Where is your attention?
Where is Your Attention?
Is that place or thing or idea worthy of your attention? You have a
choice. Consider for a moment a specific event or condition that has
challenged you this week. With that situation in mind, ask yourself,
"Where is/was my attention?"
Is your attention on the inner or the outer? On the seen or the unseen?
On the good or the bad? On what is right or what is wrong? On the
frustration or the opportunity? On worry or joy? On satisfaction or lack of
satisfaction? On what you desire or the lack of it? On the light or the dark
side? You have a choice. What do you want to seed with your attention?
Be gentle with yourself as you answer these questions. If you do not like
your answer, laugh at yourself with loving appreciation and make a new
choice.
Where is your attention?
Copyright © 1995, 2005 Marshall House. All rights reserved. You may save this article, send it to a friend, or reprint it in your online publications, provided the article remains complete and this information is attached.
Voice of Jeanie Marshall http://www.jmvoice.com and
DailyAffirm http://www.dailyaffirm.com
Article reviews
Post your review
[ Note : no HTML/URLs - will removed automatically ]
More articles from Self Improvement > Attraction
|
