Line of Sight

We are nearing the end of the study of Prisoners of Our Thoughts and the end of the core values.  This week we discussed values six and seven:

6 - Shift the focus of your attention - deflect your attention from the problem situation to something else and build your coping mechanisms for dealing with stress and change.

7 - Extend beyond yourself - manifest the human spirit at work by relating and being directed to something more than yourself.

During week one, we discussed the space that exists between an experience and our reaction.  It's a space of choice and it can be so small as to be imperceptible to some, but with practice and intentionality it can grow until it feels expansive.  Shifting the focus of your attention is part of the expansion of that space.  We are bombarded by negative messages and conversations with acquaintances that are filled with tales of the latest sorrows.  Do we jump in with both feet or do we choose to shift our focus and dwell on the good?  A friend recently shared with me that she noticed that for her the difference between dwelling in negativity or dwelling in joy related to a choice as simple as whether she walked with her head looking down or with her head held up, looking forward.

"Thy Word is a light unto my feet."  How far out are you looking for that light?  Will it be found at your toes or far out ahead of you, but close enough to feel achievable?

When we gaze out into the distance, our field of view expands and more is included in our vision.  We see less of ourselves and more of what is going on in the world around us (physical and spiritual).  We see more of the needs, wounds, and sorrows.  Do we allow ourselves to become discouraged by them or do we embrace them as opportunities?  As opportunities, we can use our gifts to help and improve situations.  Dwelling in the space of our gifts, powerful outcomes will result, they will grab attention, and more opportunities will be presented, and the cycle will continue and our sphere of influence will expand.  Think about Joseph.  He looked out beyond his slavery and the walls of the jail to see God moving in the dreams of the men around him.  By keeping his eyes on God, his opportunities and influence expanded until he became the second in charge of Egypt as well as HIGHLY influential in the nations surrounding Egypt.

We may not feel like we have the potential of Joseph, but Joseph began where he was and so can we.

I suggest one of two exercises.  The first is from the book and is called de-reflection.  Begin with a situation that is a problem or that you want to change.  Think of a simple one-line description of the problem and come up with one or more analogous situations.  In the book, Pattakos uses the example of the merger of an organization being analogous to a marriage.  Then consider the analogous situation and solutions that apply to that situation, in this case to the first weeks of a marriage.  Write down the list.  Generate as many ideas as possible.  You then look at the list and determine what solutions can be applied to your situation.

The second is from engineering problem solving and is called the Double Back.  Once again you begin with a situation that is a problem or that you want to change.  Set a timer for 15 minutes and spend that time developing a list of all of the ways that the situation could be made worse.  No limits.  Go into the fantastic and unlikely and write down all of the answers as quickly as possible.  At the end of the 15 minutes, work back through the list and write down why each answer would make the situation worse for you.  For example, think of the merger.  One identified way to make it worse would be to block all phones in one organization from being able to contact the other organization.  Why is that a way to make it worse?  Because it cuts off communication.
With the list of things that would make the situation worse and why each would make it worse, you now have a list of core values, priorities, or solutions that are part of your paradigms when considering the situation.  You can now reflect on why these are of value to you and how you choose to respond in your situation.

Returning to the example:
Situation - Merger
Way to make it worse - Block all phones in one organization from being able to contact the other organization
Why does it make it worse - It cuts off communication
Personal Value or Belief - Clear and regular communication is of high value in understanding each other and building the relationships that will make the merger a success.
Final step - in what ways can clear and regular communication be encouraged by all parties involved in the merger and what does that look like?

Both exercises require time and undivided attention, but if you make the time for the effort I believe that you will be blessed with great fruits.