Good morning. A few reflections for the week.
Define Your Relationship With Your Phone
If your smartphone feels like it’s taking over your life, it’s likely because you haven’t clearly defined your relationship with it. My technology, my smartphone, is a tool for me, just like a shovel. I have a garden that I'm creating; I have a shovel in my shed. When I need to dig a hole, I grab the shovel, dig the hole, and put the shovel back in the shed. My phone is no different. If I need my phone to do something, I grab it, use it, and when I'm done, I put it away. I’m completely unattached to it and feel no need to pick it up endlessly. But if you treat your phone like a spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend, then you might feel the need to caress it, hug it, hold it, stroke it, love it all day long, and it becomes your life.
So, if you define your relationship with your phone, you can be in charge of it, as opposed to allowing it to be in charge of you—taking control of your life, your time, your energy, and potentially even being the master of your life.
Unlocking The Gift of Being Present
You often hear people say, "Live in the moment, be present." But how do you do this? Actually, it's not about living in the moment; it's about being focused. When you can focus, you can be in the moment. If I can keep my awareness engaged with you and give you my undivided attention, I am in the moment.
You don't practice being in the moment; rather, you practice being focused. It is erroneous to say or tell someone to practice being present. Being present is a byproduct of being able to focus. If I can focus on you and give you my undivided attention, I am being present with you. So, don't practice being present; rather, practice being focused. It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give the person you are with.
Your Mind Needs a Filter
Your mind deserves a filter just like your home does. You wouldn’t let food clog your sink or hair block your shower drain, would you? We are very protective of this and understand quite well the consequences of a clogged drain.
The filter for your mind is discrimination—the ability to discern what is uplifting and what isn’t. Ask yourself: Is the music I listen to shaping my mind positively? Are the books I read and the shows I watch uplifting? What about the people I spend time with?
Everything you allow into your mind leaves an imprint, shaping your subconscious and influencing your actions and reactions. Use your wisdom to filter out what doesn’t serve you and cultivate a mind filled with positivity and one that is aligned with your purpose.
