For the past several days, I have been more focused on what I don’t want then what I do want.
- I’ve been focused on not eating sugar instead of eating for health and wellness.
- I’ve been focused on my worry over gaining weight instead of being confident in my ability to maintain my weight.
- I’ve been focused on all the things I can’t do because I am recovering from surgery instead of what I can do.
- I’ve been focused on being bored instead of milking every ounce of rest and relaxation out of this recovery time.
Just remembering that what I focus on is a choice feels so much better! With that reminder to myself, I will practice shifting my focus every time I notice that I am feeling out of sorts. Like magic, not only do I feel better, but I have more fun, my stress level drops, and life unfolds in a more beautiful way.
For many people, the holidays are a time where they focus on stress, too much to do, family squabbles, and maybe even judgment, disappointment, sadness, and loss.
This is all focusing on what you don’t want.
What can you do to shift your focus to all the opportunities presented by the holidays? Here’s what those new thoughts might look like:
- I’m choosing to do these extra things because I love my family and want them to have the best holiday ever.
- I will do what I can, and am willing to let go of those things that really aren’t a priority.
- I am going to focus on how I show up at family gatherings, and will let go of past problems and expectations.
- The past is over. I have a new opportunity right now to create a better-feeling present and future.
- I recognize that the holiday season is about love, forgiving, and giving, and I’m going to demonstrate that to everyone I encounter.
Don’t beat yourself up if you catch yourself focused on what you don’t want. We all fall into that pattern sometimes. Just gently and persistently shift your thoughts to what you do want.
Practice focusing on what you want, who you want to be, what you want to do, and how you want to feel. What difference does that make in your life?
Together we can do it!
This is an excellent post that we can all stand to learn from this holiday season. I was just feeling so stressed this morning thinking about everything that needs to get done over the next two days in preparation for the holidays. You reminded me to focus on the things that matter most and let go of those that aren’t priority. This has always been a challenge for me!
Awesome! Way to go on shifting your focus! Thanks so much for commenting!
I am focused on being mindful of when I slip into catabolic energy. This is the time of year when I need to let my inner child have a good time and catabolic energy just dumps all over that. Thanks for the timely reminder that we can choose how we feel and how we respond to circumstances. Love!!
Love your mindfulness! Love you!
I am going to try to apply it your focus onto the holiday season….For the last few days I have been in a whirlwind of paperwork and holiday shopping…. Some of the shopping was aggravating.. I should be stressing about a deal that could go south in a very bad way but I have done everything I could to make sure things were good. Maybe knowing I had done everything I could has let me get a nights sleep… I usually lose sleep over problems…There is nothing that I can do….I just have to wait for the title to find out if we have a problem….Thank you for the inspiration….I just wish my back would unstiffen…
Awesome, Debbie! Deciding to focus more on what you do want rather than what you don’t want is a powerful step. And letting go of what you can’t control is huge! Sending positive thoughts and energy to you as you wait for this deal to unfold!
Thank you Hanna, I am happy to see that you are doing so well! Thank you for your inspiring words and sharing them. I wish you the best of recovery and the best of love as you do so!
Thanks, Joe! I so appreciate you! Hanna
Thanks for a wonderful blog Hannah. It means so much more today, my mother in law just lost her battle of life. She passed away peacefully tonight, and I was thinking she would want us all together this christmas not moping about but living a caring, thoughtful christmas. I will keep trying to focus my thoughts on happy memories of her rather than the loss we all feel at this time. Its true we do have the ability to make our own choices, and we should. thanks so much for the reminder.
You are in my heart and prayers, Suzi, as you go through this difficult time. I applaud you for working to shift your focus. May your happy memories give you and your family great comfort. Thank you so much for letting me know what my blog meant to you today. Love you, my friend! Hanna