Shifting Focus

Ellie had a fun filled day yesterday. But, when it was time to leave she LOST it. The screaming, on the floor, everything is a problem, inconsolable type of losing it.

Sometimes when she has an emotional breakdown, instead of disciplining her, I’ll talk her off the ledge. I review the day using a method I made up called “shift focus”.lol “Ellie! Did you have fun playing with your cousins?? Wasn’t your dinner delicious?! Jumping on the trampoline seemed fun!” While I review the good things and ask her to talk about them, I can always see her face change as she mentally shifts to what is good.

So many of us need to shift focus. We hone in on the negative and complain, missing the reality of our many blessings. So, are you fed? Are you reading this on a cell phone? Do you have the luxury of a bed at night? Was there a job waiting for you when you woke up? Were you gifted a new day to make the most of?

Phillipians 4:8-9 (MSG) “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.”