The Smithsonian recently published an article on “inattentional blindness,” or in other words selective attention. The article was written based on an experimental minute and a half video asking viewers to count how many times a ball is caught by the individuals in white shirts (www.smithsonian.com/gorilla). There is something amazing that over 50% of the viewers miss when watching the video.
The human mind is an amazing tool. What we give our attention to dictates the reality we see in our world. According to the Smithsonian, “we consciously see only a small subset of our visual world, and when our attention is focused on one thing, we fail to notice other, unexpected things around us, including those things we might want to see.”
I believe that every prayer is always answered and the reason many of us believe that they are not are for two reasons: Number one, we are expecting it to show up in a certain way (the way we want it to) and when it does not show up how or when we want it, we assume it went unanswered. Number two, our attention is focused on either the past or the future and never in the present. We are “in our minds” most of the time. When we give our energy (or attention) to reliving a past upset in our minds over and over again or worrying/stressing about an unknown future event, a miracle could pass right in front of our eyes and we will miss it. It happens every day. Trust me.
How many times in your life have you been so focused on one thing that a bomb can go off around you and you wouldn’t even notice? How many times have you been so bent on being right that you fail to see (are blind to) other people’s point of view? How many times have you been so focused on what is going wrong in your life that you miss the beautiful blessings that are in it?
This year has been a time of change for many of us. I have noticed what I call a “black or white” effect; people are either doing the work they need to do on themselves and are experiencing joy and dreams coming true or people are not doing the work they need to do on themselves and are experiencing turmoil, upsets and loss. There is not a middle ground anymore. The difference between these two sets of people is where they are choosing to focus their attention. Abundance or lack? Giving or receiving? Joy or sadness? Where you focus your attention is a choice. Are you choosing to focus your attention on what you have in your life or what is missing?
I just spent the last week on the East Coast after moving to Arizona in July. I decided to move to Arizona because for over a year I felt a strong pull I cannot put into words to move. I wasn’t sure where I was supposed to move but I did know it was out west somewhere. Before I moved I experienced many synchronistic events that confirmed for me that I was making the right decision; such as the owner of the house I am renting in Arizona by chance being the neighbor of my assistant Ruth who lives in Pennsylvania. It was very odd for me being on the East Coast again so soon after my move; I felt as if I was trying to fit into a life in which I no longer belonged. Old friendships were not the same, places did not feel the same and I could not shake the feeling of “wanting to go home” the entire week. I loved seeing my daughters but was haunted by old memories, sadness around changes in relationships and an overwhelming sense of joy for having the courage to follow my urgings to move. I found myself having to pay attention to what I was choosing to focus on; the things in my life that are naturally coming to an end or the new and beautiful things that are coming into my life.
Change is scary sometimes; there is no doubt about that. But one thing I have learned is that change is the only thing we can count on in life. It is how you choose to view the changes that are occurring in your life that makes all of the difference. Choose to have vision, not blindness. Choose to be present-focused so you can see your answered prayers in the form of miracles showing up in your life daily. Your life is a blessing; choose to believe it!
“The trick is what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same…” ~Carlos Castaneda
Where is your attention focused today?
Chris
Chris Sopa is founder and owner of Chris Sopa International, Inc. You can learn more about her at www.ChrisSopa.com. Find her at Facebook.com/ChrisSopaInternational, Twitter @ChrisSopa, LinkedIn, and Google+.
Duck…Duck…Goose!!!
Taking action is sometimes not so easy. Do you notice that with some things you move right through it and with other things someone needs to put a fire under your butt? Usually it’s with those things that we either don’t like doing or those things that scare us to death where we hesitate. We like life to be easy and predictable. That way it is “safe.”
The Universe is always working in our favor which is why sometimes she is the one who puts the fire under our butts. You remember playing the game “duck, duck, goose” as a child? You sat on the floor, waiting patiently for someone to tap you on the head and then when they did you had no choice but to MOVE! You got up and ran around in circles being chased by “the duck,” hoping not to get tagged until you found your seat again. When it is time for us to “move” in our lives, the Universe finds a very creative way to “tap us on the head;” letting us know it is our turn to be “goose.” And yes, sometimes it DOES feel like you are being chased! For instance, has your life ever been going along ever so smoothly and then all of a sudden, BAM, you lose your job, someone you love leaves you, a loved one passes away or you find out you or someone you love has a chronic illness? You see, when our life is moving along oh so smoothly we tend to get very comfortable. My motto is to be “comfortable with the uncomfortable.” If you are not uncomfortable in some area of your life you are not growing. When we are uncomfortable that usually means something is changing…and usually changing for the better even if the road we have to travel to get there may be painful.
The energies this week (or in other words, the theme of this week) we will be playing with are that of “fearless movement” and the cycles of life. We will dive into defining your path, being ok if it is undefined at the moment, acceptance of where you are instead of always wishing you were somewhere else, how to navigate your life in uncharted waters and allowing spirit to work through you and with you to allow you to realize your dreams. For those of you who work with crystals, Chrysoprase is our crystal this week. She is the stone of “fearless movement” and her energies help you become energized to make your dreams come true. Keep her in your pocket, on your desk or under your pillow as you sleep.
For today, allow the Universe to “play” with you. Notice what signs she is trying to send to you, through people, conversations you overhear, small “coincidences,” and even billboards you pass. She speaks to us in very creative ways! Look at your life and take an inventory of where you are really comfortable and where you may be uncomfortable. If you find you are more comfortable than not, define what area in your life you would like to grow the most and make one small change (beat the Universe to it!). Don’t be afraid. You don’t have time for fear and worry is beneath you.
Remember where your attention flows, energy goes and you want your energy working for you, not against you. You cannot eat the whole elephant in one sitting…you have to take one bite at a time.
Running around in circles but loving every minute of it,
Chris
For more information about Chris Sopa International, Inc. go to www.ChrisSopa.com.