One of my granddaughters is in a high school exchange program in Spain for nearly two weeks, learning more about Spanish culture and deepening her use of the language. She is staying with a family there; they have a daughter her age. Other classmates of hers are doing the same thing, staying with other families. In May the Spanish youth will come to the U.S. and stay with the family of their guest. It's a great idea, and I'm so excited for Elizabeth that she has an opportunity such as this.
When I mentioned this to a friend of mine, however, she immediately asked whether I wasn't worried about terrorism in Spain. It isn't that I'm not completely aware of the threat of terrorism everywhere (including in our own country), but that hadn't been my focus. I had been focusing on the wonderful opportunity Elizabeth has and what that might mean in her life. I was (and am) excited for her.
But it's interesting to me how someone introducing a negative into the situation could shift the focus for me—even if only temporarily. Yes, of course, terrorism is always a possibility anywhere. But that wasn't what I chose to focus upon. It did throw me off balance for a while. And then I let it go, instead praying for her safety and well-being along with her ability to be open to all the new and wonderful experiences, smells, tastes, sounds and sights she is encountering.
It's good for us to be aware—aware of reality and also aware of the effects of positivity and negativity.
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