An Examination of Human Focus
It’s interesting to notice what captures our attention, and what we focus on.
Standing on the beach recently I realised that most times there are options for where we place our focus.
The pleasure/potential danger of the waves, the danger/goodness/beauty/excitement/ wonder/awe/disappointment/joy/sadness of what’s around and within us. There is no right or wrong thing to focus on.
Sometimes, we want the beauty and joy of what is around us to bolster our positivity. Other times we want the danger/sadness/disappointment to mirror what we are feeling inside.
Of course, if we are wanting to change how we feel, we can choose to focus on the more ‘positive’ aspects of what we observe, but sometimes that can lead to ‘emotional bypassing’. Emotional bypassing is the tendency to focus on ‘the good’ and ignore ‘the bad’.
Therapeutically, we know that we need to ‘feel all the feels’, to be aware of and to experience our highs and our lows. We are not machines. We are humans being – being all that we are. And if we focus only on ‘the good’ we can get into real problems, for example ignoring the danger of the waves, failing to notice the rip forming right in front of us. Let’s say “No” to emotional bypassing and “Yes” to being present with all that we are.
When we stop and allow all the ‘feelings’ to come and go, like the ebbing and flowing waves, we allow ourselves to experience all that we hold. And as we allow those feelings to settle, we feel more empowered, more alive and more present with ourselves and the world.
There is no right or wrong with our feelings! Hold that thought as you watch this and experience your own feelings. Let me know in the comments section what happens to you as you watch and feel and allow.