Action and Attention - What you focus on does flourish!

We have all heard the saying a hundred times. What you focus on flourishes. What does that saying really mean? How can we understand how it applies to us and our everyday lives?

To better understand the saying, let's look to the dictionary. Merriam-Webster OnLine defines the word flourish as a center of activity, attraction, or attention. Action is described as a thing done and attention is described as the act of applying the mind on an object or thought.

Now that we understand the true definition of the words, ask yourself this question. Do my thoughts line up with my actions? Most do, even if we don't realize it. Hence the saying, what you focus on flourishes.

We look around; there is talk about the economy and a possible recession. Families are on the news begging for affordable healthcare. Elderly couples are shown living in one room because they can't afford to heat the entire home that they live in. We hear these negative reports and all the sudden, that's where our attention goes.

If you are in Corporate America and you can’t find the time to spend with friends and family, are you doing anything about that? Are you looking for a solution or are you sitting back making excuses to the people around you saying this is just the way Corporate America is?

If you are a stay at home mom and you are worried about finances, are you doing anything to improve them? Are you looking for a way to bring in some extra income or are you constantly complaining to your husband about the bills?

If you are a business owner and you are thinking about marketing your product/service, are you putting any action behind your attention? Are you getting your name out there as much as possible? Or are you just sitting back waiting for a divine intervention?

We usually do put some sort of action behind our attention. We need to figure out if that action has been positive or negative. Until you put some positive action into place to back up your thoughts, nothing is going to improve. Constant worry is not going to solve anything.

Take a moment to think about what you have been thinking about. Remember; only action, positive action, can get things where you want them to be. The only person that can make that change is you! What are you waiting for?