Where's
the Focus?
Focus:
"To adjust one's vision so as to render a clear distinct image."
We live in a world where multi tasking is a virtue, and to be politically
correct is to be a diverse person.
Sure we are getting lots done, but at what cost? Spreading yourself
thin is a cause for dry toast. Blech.
What ever happened to the single-minded person? Why do we seem to
see fewer inventions in this day and age? Have people lost the desire
and skill to be dedicated to one task? The desire and skill that makes
an Edison or a Banting and Best.
I am not talking about self -absorbed individuals. They have a disease
I call the MEasles. Self absorbed individuals want focus- everything
has to revolve around their needs and desires. How they feel, how
they look. They can be intense and busy. They can even be successful.
We are surrounded by people and situations like this in our daily
lives. Their goals become our goals.
I am talking about someone who cares about doing a job and doing it
well. Perhaps with little or no attention drawn to themselves. Having
a passion and the fire in the belly that makes others either want
what they have or want to steer clear of them because change makes
us uncomfortable.
How many people do you know who have the tenacity (French tenace =single
-mindedness) to stick with something long enough to see it to the
finish. We live in a world where people are over stressed. We may
look on these terms of focus and tenacity and apply them to those
we consider as narrow minded or intolerant. Everything in moderation,
(watch the cyanide there) and don't sweat the small stuff. Yet this
seems to be leading folks to living a life with a shaking foundation
and little ability to stick to goals. If indeed a goal was set in
the first place. A goal allows you to know where you have been and
where you would like to be. It can actually keep your life relatively
stress free. All which is dross can fall away.
When we ride, we want our horses to be obedient and trained and sometimes,
perfect. Yet, do we expect the same from ourselves? We are all in
this world of horses for different reasons but it seems the same sort
of "help" questions get asked over and over again. There
is no shortage of horse magazines (for some, 60 years old) and Internet
sites. New people come along all the time and need to be informed.
But the days seem to be gone where skills, knowledge and wisdom are
practiced and passed on.
I see people focusing on their horse's shortcomings, inexperience
and "bad" behaviour. They want an end and will get it at
any cost. Time is short in our microwave society. Our horses however
have not been keeping pace with technology! They live in the same
world of no agendas and no guilt. Horses take time. I stick with horses,
not for the money (imagine that!) but for the way they can change
me and make me a better, different person. They let me make mistakes
and give me the desire to reward that forgiving nature by not treating
them with disrespect.
Let's get a clear distinct image of who we are and what we really
want to do with, and for, ourselves and our horses. Narrow mindedness
lets me dial a series of numbers and get you - only you on the line.
Let's keep our eyes on the prize and push through the finish line.
"I
press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14
-
Ann Allen
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Read
Past Articles:
Response
Through Respect
The
Counterfeit Ring
Good
Training or Good Nature?
In
Defense of the "Natural" Horse
Rules?
Who Needs Them?
Where's
the Focus?
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