The Focus of Every Decision

It is not always what we know or analyzed before we make a decision that makes it a great decision. It is what we do after we make the decision to implement and execute it that makes it a good decision.

--William Pollard (The Soul of the Firm)

Are you paying attention? Are you aware of what you do? Are you paying attention to the results you get? Are you paying attention to what you feel? When was the last time you took stock of what is really going on around you? Are you paying attention to what you do, or are you just doing what comes naturally? Habitually?

Are you paying attention to what you say? What you mean? And to what you expect once you have spoken your mind? And are you paying attention to how you feel when you wake up? What you expect to feel as you move through the day? Are you paying attention to what happens based on what you expect? And are you aware of how what you expect makes you feel? Or how it motivates what you do?

Are you paying attention to how much you smile in any given day? Or to how long you have been holding back the tears? Are you paying attention to whom and what you give your attention? What you expect to get? And what you actually do get in return for the attention you give? Are you paying attention to what life is saying to you? Are you paying attention to what your living feels like? Or are you living mindlessly, missing the details of who you are, what you do and how it all makes you feel.

Until today, you may not have been paying attention to the details in the moment-by-moment experience of life. Just for today, pay very close attention to what you are doing and how you are feeling. Write down every little detail of what you discover. Then you will know to what and whom you have been giving most of your attention. Then you will have all that is required to make the necessary changes.

Today I am devoted to paying attention to every little detail of my life.

-Iyanla Vanzant, Until Today! - Daily Devotions for Spiritual Growth and Peace of Mind ©2000

Life will work for me when I realize... every decision I make is based on every other decision I have made, which is based on everything that has ever happened in my life.

--Iyanla Vanzant

As you read what is above on this page, you may have thought, "Hey, you have that in reverse order.." Well, yes, I do. You ARE paying attention, aren't you? Our decisions and their experiences got us to where we are today. And if we pay attention to the details of what we think, feel, expect and experience, we won't be living unconsciously and will see clearly where changes need to be made, and the focus of those decisions. And once we are living our life consciously, paying attention and staying in focus with the moment-by-moment experiences, acting upon our decisions is the natural follow-up to having made them.

So, let's put that in reverse order and see what happens:

We live our life unconsciously.
We make a snap decision, then act without thinking of the consequences...
"Stuff" just happens...
We step in the consequences, and sink in up to our armpits.
We whine and complain about how unfair the Universe is, has been, and will continue to be.
Then we conclude, what could possibly be our motivation for making changes?

Your choice - what do you think will work better?

Life requires us to make many decisions, and along the way, events can occur which are completely out of our hands. There are risks associated with every decision you make. How you choose to handle the outcome of your decisions, choosing not to be a victim of those decisions, not to whine, complain or blame, is entirely up to you. Most importantly, take responsibility for your choices, no matter which way you go. Don't expect others to live up to your expectations, and own the fact that you have no responsibility to live up to the expectations of others. "Life is a high-risk sport," as Melodie Beatte informs us. "Expect some injuries along the way." But above all, understand just how much power you have, and seek out the Source of that power with gratitude.

Paying attention to every detail of every day can be difficult and time consuming. But, for goodness' sake, lift your head once in a while and see where you are! Keep in mind that, just like a clenched fist cannot receive a gift, a closed and unconscious mind cannot learn and grow. Strive for excellence which will motivate you, rather than perfection which will demoralize you. According to Oprah Winfrey, "doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment."

More decisions are headed your way. What will be your focus?

Michael

email: Michael@N-Spire.com

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