THREE RINGS AND A RINGMASTER!

I took my grandson to the circus a few days ago. A fun time was had by all!

While I was watching the circus, I was reminded of how our lives are similar to the circus. So many things going on at the same time, that we have a hard time focusing on just one of them. Watching this one, watching that one, and of course, watching the other one! All at once!

Trying to keep up with it all is so tiring. Not to mention, that when you try to focus on just one of the acts, the others do something so fantastic that you miss it! All the while, a Ring Master is talking and trying to guide your attention to a specific spot!

As I counsel so many people, I find that their lives are spinning out of control because they can't focus on what needs to be done. Their emotions are being tossed to and fro because they are pulled in so many directions. Just as they are getting settled on at least one of the issues, a "Ring Master" starts talking and directing their attention to another area, causing them to miss the spectacular!

I decided to just find the ring of activities that grabbed my attention first! I would watch that ring for the whole performance with only a quick casual glance to the other rings! This allowed me to not only enjoy the show, but it gave me the opportunity to allow others to share with me what they saw. None of us watched the same ring of activities!

Remember, our lives need to be focused on our abilities and our passions. We can reduce the stresses in our life by not worrying about all that is going on around us. When that obnoxious "Ring Master" begins to speak, and tries to direct your attention away from your focus, just remember that there will always be something going on... all the time... somewhere! Just keep watching your ring of activity!

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the Greatest Show On Earth!" That show is LIFE!

"I Thought So!"

One of my favorite books is "Thinking For A Change" by Dr. John Maxwell. Why, because it made me think! I never realized how hard it was to really think about something. I mean focused thinking.

We all have those quick moments when we give someone or something a passing thought. But, do we really focus our thinking for any length of time?

It is said that unsuccessful people focus their thinking on how to survive. Those who are average will focus on how to maintain. But those who are what most people call successful, will focus their thinking on progress. It stands to reason that if we change our thinking, and give some time to it, we can move from surviving to being successful. We could also go the other way, from successful to just surviving.

"I'll think about it!" This is the answer we get most after asking someone a question they were unprepared to be asked. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they actually did "think" about whatever it was?

What has occupied your thoughts lately? Have you focused on your thoughts so that you could get the answers that go beyond everyday comprehension? Simple answers require simple thought. But the answers that will move us forward will require us to think about it for a while.

Today is full of decisions. Which ones will you make? Are you going to survive, maintain, or progress? Think about it!