Focus Needs Direction

"An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. So when life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means that it's going to launch you into something great. So just focus, and keep aiming."  - Author Unknown

Are you on the precipice of greatness? Sometimes it's difficult to realize that you are exactly where you need to be. The idea of 'focus' seems simple enough but, in reality, it can be anything but simple. Some have defined focus as 'the center of interest or activity'. Ok, that seems fair. But, here's where the complexity enters; focus isn't enough. What do you mean? Of course it's enough. During this pivotal time, my wife and I have been discussing some hypotheticals and potential next steps for our family to take. And, what I realized in a conversation this morning was that she and I are both extremely focused on the same thing but that we are essentially standing back-to-back. Or perhaps a better way to say it, we are standing in the exact same spot, yet looking in opposite directions.

Let me explain using the illustration of the arrow in the quote above. Most arrows are made up of three basic parts: the arrowhead, the shaft, and the fletching. The fletching is the part at the back end of the arrow most commonly depicted using feathers. This is the location, figuratively of course, that my wife and I are standing. We are both very aware of where we currently find ourselves and acknowledge that we are where we need to be presently. It could easily and accurately be said that we have focus. And now, why I say focus needs direction. As I stand on the fletching, facing the direction in which the arrow is being pulled there are many things to speculate from this position. I wonder how much further backwards we'll be pulled, which way is this thing even aimed, the bow's string has to be about ready to break. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale is not likely to be too proud or impressed with me at this point, I can assure you. And then there's my wife, Jaci, with a vastly different vantage point of the situation. As she's staring straight down the archer's eye line, things look a bit better. In her mind the contemplations have a much more positive spin. This has to be close to as far backwards as we'll go before being catapulted forward, we are aimed dead at that bulls-eye, the tautness of the string tells me that once we're on our way we are going to get there fast. Little different outlook, huh? So, despite being in the same place there are (at least) two ways to look at one's circumstances. And, sometimes we all need to be reminded of the power of our own perspective. I know I sure did today.

What about you? What types of situations have you found yourself in where, looking back, you could have simply adjusted your perspective in order to improve your circumstances? Or better yet, who's the person you're back-to-back with in instances like that that helps, sometimes literally, turn you around?


><
Jefferson