Giving Myself a Refocus

As you may know by now, my word for 2013 is “Focus.” Over the course of the last five months I feel as though my efforts to really pursue greater focus in my life have been completely under attack. To be honest, I don’t feel like I’m making any progress in this area. I feel more scattered and distracted than ever!

Last night I was discussing my frustration with my husband. He was very encouraging and reminded me that all of us need to “refocus” every once in a while.

The word “refocus” made me think about a behavior modification program that several of the teachers in our local school district use with their students. Whenever a student is struggling to meet classroom expectations (talking at inappropriate times, getting off-task, not completing work, etc.), the teacher will hand the student a form and instruct them to “go refocus.” The student will then go to a designated area and fill out the Refocus form. In essence, the form asks three basic questions: 

(1) What were you doing?

(2) What were you supposed to be doing?

(3) What will you do differently next time?

This gives the child the opportunity to think about the choices they have been making and how to make better, more appropriate choices in the future. Once they have completed the form, they review it with the teacher. They are also required to take the form home, review it with a parent, have the parent sign the form, and then return it to the teacher the next day.

Some students just go through the motions and this process has little long-term effect on their behavior. But for many students, a Refocus really does help them evaluate and take responsibility for their choices.

Due to my own recent behavior and choices, I have decided to give myself a Refocus. Admittedly, this may seem a bit unusual, but I need to get myself back on track. Desperate times call for desperate measures!

(1)  What were you doing? Allowing myself to get distracted by situations and circumstances over which I have little or no control, brooding over the lack of an apology that I believe I deserve but doesn’t seem to be forthcoming, over-committing and allowing my schedule to get too busy, sweating the small stuff and letting fear creep in, and not getting enough sleep!

(2) What were you supposed to be doing? Not worrying, prioritizing my to-do list and keeping a sane schedule, guarding my heart, trusting God, and going to bed at a decent hour.

(3) What will you do differently next time? Walk in faith rather than fear, allow grace to abound towards myself and others, grow in discipline, daily pursue my purpose, be positive, trust God, and get some sleep!

Some students only have to Refocus once or twice in order to change their behavior. I might be one of those challenging students who have to go through the process multiple times before change occurs. At least I don’t have to do it alone…

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” ~Phil 1:6

 

Just another ordinary day...

Somehow I managed to take an almost two month hiatus from writing. I didn’t intend to take a break. It just sort of happened. I wish I could tell you that I was busy having some grand adventure in some exotic place, but I wasn’t. I was busy doing everyday life: laundry, dishes, feeding the dog, etc. I was doing a lot of reading and preparing lessons for my weekly moms group. I was walking my daughters through some heartache and disappointment. I was cheering on my husband through the ups and downs of completing his graduate program coursework.  Sure, it was all necessary, but not very exciting and pretty downright ordinary.

Several years ago we had a worship pastor who would often say, “There’s something about life that is so daily.” I chuckle a bit every time I think about that statement. Daily life is often more about the routine rather than the remarkable. Lately, though, the routine was beginning to feel totally monotonous!

A couple of weeks ago I attended our church’s annual Rejoice Women’s Conference. April Osteen Simons (younger sister of Joel Osteen) was the speaker. On Saturday morning she talked about “Life on the Other Side.” She went through a series of statements designed to bring us all some encouragement:

·         “On the other side of the storm there is calm and peace.”

·         “On the other side of discouragement there is laughter.”

·         “On the other side of loss there is restoration.”

On and on she went, dispensing these little nuggets of wisdom. But then she said something that really caught my attention.

 “On the other side of a mundane, ordinary life there is abundance, purpose, and destiny.”

Whoa! Really? I’m not sure I was completely aware of just how bogged down I was feeling until she spoke those words. It felt like she read my mind. Could this average, humdrum life I was experiencing really lead me to abundance, purpose, and destiny? I struggled to pay attention to rest of her message as the truth of these words began to sink into my heart.

It is our everyday choices that really determine the course of our lives. The ordinary becomes extraordinary when we realize the importance of those choices. Even in the daily-ness of life, we can make choices that bring us closer to fulfilling our purpose. And on the most ordinary of days, we can be grateful for all of the blessings that we do have.  

On an ordinary day like today, I am healthy and strong. My husband and children are all healthy and strong. I am able to carry out the routine tasks of the day. I am focusing on making choices that will enable me to move forward in accomplishing God’s purpose for my life. I am truly blessed!

Just another ordinary day full of hope and promise…