Friday, January 6, 2017

Shifting our focus

So much changes in our lives when we shift our focus. Attitudes and viewpoints make such a difference. I like what author and psychologist Daniel Goleman has to say about that:

"When we focus on ourselves, our world contracts as our problems and preoccupations loom large. But when we focus on others, our world expands. Our own problems drift to the periphery of the mind and so seem smaller, and we increase our capacity for connection—or compassionate action."

Goleman's book Emotional Intelligence was on The New York Times bestseller list for 1-1/2 years. In it he discusses the mastery of our own emotions and understanding the emotions of those around us. He knows that wisdom is more than mastering facts. He knows that a focus only on self makes our world smaller.

Sometimes it's easy to get overwhelmed with the events and problems in our own lives. At those times we may want to tune out everyone else and their troubles. But it's not helpful. It's not healthy. Our problems can actually seem smaller when we focus on other people.

Who around you can use some attention and time today? See if a focus on that doesn't put your own problems in better perspective.







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