Out of Focus

I had an interesting thought at lunch today while I was talking training plans with my friend.

I've been through a lot of stuff.
I've done a lot of stuff.
I've survived a lot of stuff.
I've overcome a lot of stuff.

Reasonably speaking, I should have some wisdom as a result. And I do. But, regardless of how much experience I have or wisdom I gain, my advice, my cautions, my warnings, my insight aren't as powerful as they could be. I can almost visibly see people rolling their eyes or sarcasm-smiling at some of my advice no matter how logically or passionately I share it. I HATE that.


WHY is that?!


I decided why it is. Its because of the results of my wisdom. There aren't many. Its not that the things I've gone through in my life havent changed me, of course they have. But its the fact that I have never focused in such a way as those things have had their way with me completely.

Here are some examples:

I've run five half marathons. I should have lots of advice on training and doing those....But I dont...because I never really trained hard...and I walked most of them and they did not change me very much at all, i.e., still fat still slow.

I've done weightwatchers...and lost 40lbs! I should be a perfect expert at doing that...but I'm not...because I didnt finish (i'm still in the middle of surrendering to that one though...dont count me out yet)...I'm not really skinny yet, so my advice there is watered down too.

I could quote Dave Ramsey backwards and forwards, but does that matter??? NO! Because I'm still in DEBT!

There are a few more, but they dont belong here...

I sat immobile in my chair for a while thinking about this concept..and how much it bothers me. All of my experience gets diluted...but what is missing?!

Then it hit me...

FOCUS.

Focus is missing!! Gah...the richness of life and experiences are deepened when we FOCUS.

What do I mean?

I mean, if all I chose to do from this point forward was fulfill promises I've already made to myself...my life would be unimaginable. If I stopped allowing things to distract me...from big things like tension with friends to little things like facebook...what could beCOME of me?! If I would just FOCUS on the here and now...align what I do with what SHOULD be done and DO IT without wondering whats going on in the rest of the world..whats happening without me...whats everyone else doing...what am I being left out of...My life would have a DRASTICALLY different landscape.

Then it hit me again..

This isnt just a new Jig's-revelation...Why, there is nothing new under the sun..

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
A time for facebook, and a time for twitter
A time to text message and a time to refrain from texting
a time to mull over past wrong choices and a time to get over it
a time to excerise and a time to sleep


And a time to every purpose under heaven.


Having a successful life isn't about finding the perfect solution to your problems. Its not about filling in your gaps and holes with things that medicate your aching heart. Its not about how many friends you have, or your family or your spouse or your job...Its about owning and enjoying the seasons, however small, focusing on what that season requires and being faithful to the here and now.

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