Thinking About What We Focus On

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

One of my favorite verses from the Bible is the above verse.  It is an important thing to consider, even if you are not religious.  What we think about affects who we are and how we feel.

Think about it:  If you think bad thoughts or destructive and negative thoughts, do you feel good or do you feel bad?  Most people will say that they feel bad when they focus on things that are negative or "not good".  I do, too. 

There are many things in the world that make a person feel bad.  However, there are many things that make a person feel good.  The question is, what makes you feel good?  Think about those things, and focus on those things.

Thinking About What We Are Thankful For



Sometimes we lament (feel bad or focus on in a negative way) the bad things that have happened to us.  Sometimes we focus on the bad things that may happen to us.  And sometimes we are not happy about a circumstance in our life (circumstance means a condition).  We may wish we had more money, more friends, more power, or something else.  It is important to, instead of wishing we had something else, to be thankful and glad for the things that we do have.  Everyone is blessed with something great in their life.  Think of some examples of the good things you have.

Some things that we may have in common include:

• Family
• Friends
• Healthy enough to be able to come to Friday Night Club
• A good enough skill in English to be able to understand at least some of what is said here
• Warmer weather to look forward to
• The nature that is around us
• Fond memories of good events that have happened in the past
• We also have a loving God that looks out for us and who cares for us.  

You can add more to that list.  Think of some other things that you are glad for.  Think of your life circumstance, but only of the good things, the things that you are very happy to have.  They may not last forever, but you have been blessed with them now, and other good things that you do not have now will come to you as well.

The Things We Focus On

The above verse does not only talk about what we have, but what we should think about or focus on.  There are many things in the world that exist which do not make us feel good.  Some television shows and movies may make us feel upset.  Some music may not make us feel good.  There are certain websites that make a person feel negative thoughts.  Focusing your mind on these things is destructive.

There are many beautiful things in the world.  Much of this is in nature.  For example, the forest, the mountains, the water, and the sky.  There are flowers and animals in nature that are wonderful to look at.  There are the babies and the children.  There are beautiful poems and friends and good foods.  The ability to create is in itself a beautiful thing.  We should try to focus on these things, and not things such as disease, death, murder, hate, hurtful comments, and the things that are known as sin in the Bible.

When You Feel Sad

We all become depressed and sad.  Many times this is due to inactivity which brings the chance to think negative and sad thoughts.  When we sit alone, bored, we often think of bad things.  Instead, think of some ways that you can focus on good things when you are sad or upset.

Some things that I like to do when I feel sad that are helpful include:

• Go for a walk in nature
• Spend time with my family
• Write or make something
• Read a book such as the Bible
• Exercise
• Take a bath
• Make a nice dinner

Going out in nature makes many of us feel good.

Focusing on the parts of life that we are glad about and focusing our time on things that make us feel good are ways in which we can have a better life.  We choose to either think of things that make us feel sad or make us feel happy.  What we focus our time on right now affects how we feel for a long time.  Focus your time on that which makes you feel happy and good.  Do not dwell on the bad things in life.

Do not focus on tomorrow or what may happen to you in the future.  Focus on today and the good things that are a part of your life.  The Bible says:

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof Matthew 6:3.

In other words, focus on today.  There is enough to deal with at the present time without having to worry about things that may never happen.  There is much "evil" in the world, enough for one day.  Focusing on everything bad that may happen in the future makes a person feel much worse.  

Try it:  If you do something that makes you feel bad, go a few days without doing it.  Ask yourself how you feel without focusing on that thing.  You will probably find that you feel much better without partaking in that activity.

________________

If you are keeping an "English Journal," write about the following: 

1.  What you like to do when you feel sad.
2.  What do you like to focus on that makes you feel better.
3.  What things should you focus on in life?
4.  What are you thankful for? 

Extra ideas for writing:  Write three things that you are thankful for each day.  This can be done in the morning or at night.  Think about those things and write them down as you go through each day.

_________________ 

Vocabulary:

Destructive means "to destroy."  Destructive thoughts are the kinds of thoughts that hurt us.
Religious means to spend a lot of time thinking about your religion or God.
Depressed is another way of saying sad.
Disease is another word for sickness.
Blessed means having something that is good.  Usually refers to a gift from God.
Dwell means to think about something a lot (it can also mean the place where someone lives).
Partake is another way to say "to do."