Refocusing...Task One of my Spiritual To Do List (originally written May 2009)

As I am building/strengthening my blogging skills, I have been looking back on previous writings...I found that I have "started" some form of journaling/blogging many times before in other forms, however never put in out in a forum that may be truly beneficial to others.  I wrote notes via facebook in the past but never really published them and have boxes of journals in my basement that never quite made it past just writings on a page.  As I do some self reflection and soul strengthening to do what I am purposed, I found this entry I wrote back in 2009.  It seems so very relavant for what I am trying to be committed to now.  So bare with me as I repost this in an effort to truly share.

It has been over four months since my last note...can we say life has been busy? In this four months I think I have been tested in everyway imaginable...some test I have passed with flying colors others just barely scraped by and still others I have failed miserably. But I am happy and blessed to say I have learned! I have learned that my flesh is very weak and that my insecurities take over if I am not centered (focused) in God.

Your focus is so key to your happiness, or should I say joy, in life. I know I have talked about negativity and attitude in other notes, but it is so true...where you focus your attention will dictate everything else. When I was at Xavier, I attended this talk regarding positive thinking and visualizing your goals. The speaker talked about how your mind does not know the difference between an actual event happening and you reliving the experience in your mind. So if something negative happens and then you retell the story over and over again your mind, body and soul reacts as though it is happening to you over and over again...deep huh? I broke a three inch thick board with my bare hands. On one side of that board were the fears and insecurities that I felt were hindering me and on the other side was the statement In five years, I will be a Spiritual Counselor. Although this talk did not speak of God, the holy spirit was present as I know I broke through my issues to focus on His will for my life, but I digress...

If I focus on my failures and shortcomings then that is where my energies will manifest. If I focus on what other's think or what will happen tomorrow then my energy dwells there. I am not saying that one should not plan or care about other's, however your sole focus should not be in areas you have little to no control over.

I have spent way too much energy these past four months dwelling in places where I should not have been. So today I am refocusing....changing my spiritual, mental and emotional lens if you will! I have found that writing the vision and making it plain adds more validity and truth to the statement. I tend to do what I have written down as I am a list maker. So this is task one of my Spiritual To Do List.

Sometimes we tend to think our spirituality is something we do not have to take an active role in maintaining and updating. This is so far from the truth. Any relationship needs continuous attention and updating to be success. Just as we go about our daily task for work or family...making list to accomplish this or that goal, we need to put just as much, if not more energy in our spiritual upkeep.

One of the electronic devotionals I read had a prayer that I printed and posted in my office as I constant reminder of my focus:

Dear Jesus, when I push You to last place, I miss out on hearing Your voice. When I keep going until I drop, I get all tangled up in my to do list. I know that life is busy, but help me to discern between what is important, and what is not. Reorganize my life, and reveal true rest that only comes from You.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Is it time for you to focus or refocus? Is it time for you to create or update your Spiritual To Do List?