Where Your Focus Goes, There Your Energy Flows
Oct 19, 2022
I was reading about Solomon in the Bible book of Ecclesiastes. He was one of the wealthiest kings in ancient times and he was considered brilliant intellectually. Solomon could buy anything he wanted. He was world famous for his success and threw great parties. Legend says that he was handsome and he acquired 700 wives. He had to have tremendous energy for that alone. Solomon was powerful and famous, yet none of his “stuff” satisfied him. His writings tell us that he viewed all of his worldly acquisitions and accomplishments as "vanity and chasing after the wind."
His name means peace, yet he had none of it as his energy flowed toward goals that had nothing to do with his purpose of leading his country well. Solomon lacked focus and felt scattered. That old quote is still true, “If you chase two rabbits, both will escape." Rather than focus on his purpose, he allowed his heart to drift. He got distracted.
At some point, Solomon got sick and tired of the busyness and the chase. He slowed down enough to refocus. It took the whole book of Ecclesiastes and a long time, but Solomon’s reflection brought him back to His Creator's purpose and mission for his life. That is what really mattered in his life.
That's me sometimes--chasing after the wind. I am reminded of a t-ball game where the little girl in the outfield was chasing the butterfly rather than the ball. The butterfly was so pretty. “GET THE BALL!” screamed her coaches and her teammates. That brought her back to reality.
How about you? Were you chasing butterflies, like me, these last months? Did you say "yes" to commitments that involve other's goals and dreams rather than yours? What is left on your "to-do" list that you promised yourself you were going to finish? Did you handle that tough conversation or improve your part in that important relationship? What else did you procrastinate?
GET THE BALL!
Stop. Breathe. Get quiet and think. Nine months of this year is gone and before we know, it will be December and we'll be in the same place then as we are now. Refocus. What do we want to accomplish? Who do we want to become? Let's stop chasing the wind and move our energy in the direction of our purpose or calling. For me, just advancing in the direction of my goals and purpose seems to eliminate distractions. Yes, these last couple years have been difficult, but we can't let it distract and paralyze us.
What is one step that you can take in the direction of your dreams and desires. Go ahead, take that one. It will position you to take the second one...and so on. You can do it!
Watching for the ball,
Jan
Jan McDonald
Maxwell Certified Leadership Team
Don't forget! https://www.jan-