How do you find your focus? Do you center yourself through meditation, manifestation, or wishing thinking? Do you outline your goals to make them achievable actions? What allows you to pinpoint your thinking, and keep track of your conscious mind?
Recently, I came across a post on social media about being focused. It stated, “Your life becomes what you focus on.” Seems simple enough, right? But I feel that there is more to it–that finding what we focus on requires deeply personal understanding and connection. As I considered my own approach to finding focus, I realized that my morning routine was how I began the day. This meant centering myself with my thoughts and my focus. I became more aware of what my first thought was and how to change it, if I felt that I needed to.
This realization meant that in order to feel more focused overall, I had to start with becoming aware of what I was focusing on throughout my day. In the process, I have become more conscious of repetitive and intrusive thoughts that distract my focus. Creating a morning focus journal has been a valuable step in my process. I’ve made it my goal to use this throughout the day, writing down what I’m focusing on to keep track of my thoughts. This way I’ll have a handmade reminder and training manual to keep me focused on the moment at hand, and most importantly, what I want to create.
It’s possible that I’m over-simplifying this process–there are endless avenues to explore as we seek the best way to center our minds. But in a time of restlessness and unease, I find it beneficial to clear my head and balance my inner thoughts. Focus is all about understanding what we do and don’t desire. Once you are aware of what you seek from the world and what you want to avoid, it will be much easier to focus on the goals laid out in front of you.
Some people may disagree with this thought process and say that it’s the same thing–that there is no need to examine what you do and don’t want, because you are saying what you’d like to avoid by writing it down. In this case, maybe your focus is fractured by non-specific thoughts: “I don’t not want a black car” vs “I want a white car”. I have witnessed this in too many cases. Back when I was a hair stylist, I’d ask my clients what they were looking for, and 9 out 10 times my client would start with “I don’t want…” The same process happened during my brief time as a Realtor: buyers were so caught up in the thoughts that brought them no joy. By beginning with a negative outlook on our goals and listing the things that displease us, we’re avoiding the key idea behind centering our focus. It’s important to put the energy out into the world that you’d like to receive.
So let’s shed the negativity intertwined with our desires by writing these thoughts down and manifesting. Today, my words to my journal are: “I want to be focused.” Tell the world what you need, and positive energy will answer.
My personal focus has manifested in wonderful new art prints, with three new prints created from acrylic abstracts. I’ve imbued these pieces with positivity and added some inspirational quotes to each one. The first features a line from Maya Angelou against a lovely green scene with a simple tree and three soaring birds: “You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anyone.” The second print is another acrylic abstract with the words, “Without fear you are free.” For the third print with the words “Today I am grateful for…”, I used a palette knife to create a colorful surface with soft flowers of green and yellow. All three of these pieces are available as 8 x 10 in. prints, pre-matted and backed with a 4-ply hardboard. They’re sealed in a cellophane sleeve for protection and available now on my Etsy and my website!
May is back with a brand new giveaway on my Facebook page and a chance to win one of the above prints–your choice! Just like or comment on the monthly giveaway post to enter. A winner will be chosen on May 30th at 3pm PST live on my page, so tune in to find out if you’re the lucky winner!
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Remember to start your day with thoughts of peace in your mind. There’s so much beauty in the world to be thankful for!
The Healing Tree Studio 