Life is all about focus. Some of us focus mostly on how we feel within ourselves. If we are unwell, it’s the only thing on our minds, unless there is something more important going on outside our illness. When we are well, some of us focus on what is closest in our lives – our family and friends, our homes – and some of us set our focus to our jobs, the weather, and even what is happening in the world. We’re all different that way.
We focus on what makes us happy, and depending on our circumstances, what makes us sad.
In other words, we tend to focus on things that stir our feelings. But what if we could focus on contentment? Balance: that which makes us feel nothing at all. That fine line in which everything is perfect. Nothing is particularly wrong, or right. Everything just… is. The middle ground.
It takes practice, but it can be done.
lindaghill.com 
January 15, 2014 at 3:53 am
Words to live by. If only we can remember this when life’s little cares block our way. Thanks so much!
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January 15, 2014 at 10:09 am
Thank you 🙂 It’s true, it’s not always easy to remember, especially when stress is clouding the mind.
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January 14, 2014 at 7:33 am
Yes 😉 The nothing space that seems to terrify some of us sometimes. I tell you what = feeling nothing knocks the c**p out of feeling depressed *-*
Great post Linda ( I had one on HR about this very thing – it went bye bye in the overhaul – I will try find it again and repost it at a time -I think it would be cool for you to check the similarities….at least – I THINK I posted it – hmmm. – do you forget what you have and haven’t posted ?)
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January 14, 2014 at 12:52 pm
I do forget half the time. 😛
Thanks very much, Belinda! If you can’t find the article you’re looking for, you should ask OM if he still has all the articles from the guest postings. Maybe he just privatized them.
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January 14, 2014 at 1:01 pm
Thanks babe – Buzzing right now – just watched the vid you posted of Russell dear 😀 GORGEOUS!
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January 14, 2014 at 1:03 pm
Buzzing over the speed at which he talks? haha Agreed… he’s lovely. 🙂
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January 14, 2014 at 3:02 pm
I can’t even get the words out that quickly writing- never mind getting my tongue around them!! lol! Lovely sentiment hey. ONE thing – and I mean this with the greatest respect to the ethos he shares here – it must be a bit easier to seem so free from the chains of himself with all the cash he has in the bank. Just sayin’ 😉 BUT it should not detract from the message message he speaks of looking for that connection to something greater than us!
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January 14, 2014 at 7:45 pm
I don’t know about that, actually. Given that when my ex first left me with three young kids, meditation and Tai Chi (which I believe has the same meditative qualities as yoga, without ever having done yoga) were the only things that kept me sane and kept me going. It was being able to focus on myself that kept me there for my kids. So in that, I believe that his message that as long as we’re human, we have the ability to achieve what he has, is true. 🙂
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January 15, 2014 at 4:46 am
Hey babe,
Possible miscommunication. I think my views on Russell may be different to yours – again that does not detract from the principles of what he is saying. He is a spokesperson for revolution (which is probably a good idea!) I am pleased to hear him speak as he does and use the leverage he has with the place he holds to affirm principles of oneness and a source of to reach to for enlightenment. However – how did he get to where he is. is what I am asking (myself – not you). As I see it from where we sit – he cashed in on the very system of which he now speaks against…which is pretty cool really = as he has the experience from which to speak from. Was it his yoga and meditation that ‘got him where he is’ or tapping into the societal urges that he speaks out against?
Neither here nor there in the bigger picture and the context of seeking spiritual enlightenment (and if he has found it now – AWESOME! – that makes him a better person for himself and others showing that he came from being frankly, a shit bag(which is also here- say mind you), to being tuned in to what matters in our world.
Also – I am a bit unsure to think of meditation in any forms as a conduit to ourselves and focusing on ourselves , but rather as a conduit to focusing on something greater than ourselves? Or have I got it on it’s head?! lol! 😀
PS – your words about how you were able to stay focused for yourself and kids when the proverbial shit hit the fan – is more of a message of hope coming from YOU – than out of the mouth of a celebrity. YOU live in the real world. He is a quick on the tongue and a very good speaker – but what is HIS story that will make folk LISTEN to him. ( I probably know – but the point is – how many might? and that is just always the problem – is we DO just look at the surface of it all.) I think we should get him by his ear and say – right – now tell the whole story as it happened so the world does not get snippets because we like your words and we want others to hear them for what they are. Because lets face it – the vast majority of the human race is a little cynical about ANYONE with a bit of cash in the bank – which was the point I was making. TOO many people will fob his words off in exactly the way I put across ‘it must be easier to be like that when you have no financial worries’ – yet that is not the point he is making. Yet the mere fact that it IS a fact – makes it sound like drivel…to a LOT of people – probably the ones who need to take in what he says the most. And yet it can work the other way – if he had NOTHING – who would listen to him THEN? ‘Well hell! I am not going to listen to this guy – look at him! I don’t want to struggle like that and be a mother Theresa.’ Aaah – it can go around and around right – so I will stop rambling in your comment space.
Anyhow – enough of that – WE know what he means hey 😉
Funny that this is not even under the actual post of the video! Except it is under the one about BALANCE 😀 I think that is quite cool actually ~ cheers.
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January 15, 2014 at 10:21 am
My understanding of meditation, and what worked for me, was to focus on nothing. People say things like “I’ll meditate on it,” when they have a problem, but that’s not meditation. That’s contemplation. The point of meditation is to transcend the body and the self and the mind. So yes, you have it right. 🙂
I see what you’re saying about Russell’s position, and I agree that he is lucky to have experienced both extremes. And again, you’re right – there are many people who won’t take him seriously and I think he knows that when he says, over and over, he’s just human like everyone else. I do think it’s important though for someone like him, with a huge audience, to speak out and damn the naysayers.
As for having this conversation on a different thread, I think the post this is under is still relevant to the conversation anyway. 😀 Cool indeed. I must thank you for the wonderful interaction! Very thought provoking.
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January 15, 2014 at 10:39 am
I am going to just point to one thing you said here – because the rest is just like as if I could have said it 😀 (which means I agree) AS is this one – (which is the point) YES – it is important – and all said and done – I stick with my original comment yonder post. YES. And just yes. (turned out to be more than just a yes – but yes is normally what I say when it makes me think about a million and one concepts that living on this planet being human instills in me!)
My daughter said something to me today ‘sometimes we just have to empty everything out don’t we mum…to let other things in – like the important stuff.’ I have to say – BY GOD – I think she nailed it. FAR to wise for her age that young lady 😀
ps – lovely to chat to you to ma’am 😉 Cheers
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January 15, 2014 at 11:35 am
She is very wise. A full cup holds no potential and all that. 🙂
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January 15, 2014 at 5:06 pm
😉 She is a dear one. (a little bias of course ~)
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January 14, 2014 at 2:47 am
Really great post Linda.
I found out how to catch the moment for me, which is not very easy either.
When I’m out walking with my dog in the beautiful nature, I often feel a lot of thoughts coming to my mind. I ask them to “go away” and then I give my dog my fully attention, playing etc. This helps me to focus better.
Did the same, when my kids were younger and found this a good solution for me.
Thanks for sharing.
Irene
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January 14, 2014 at 6:53 am
Thank you, Irene. 🙂
As tempting as it sometimes is to put headphones on when I’m outside, I prefer to pay attention to what is around me as well. All the wonderful things I’d miss otherwise! It’s great to just enjoy the moment.
😀
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January 13, 2014 at 9:24 pm
Concur with the Zen comments. Find your centre point if life.
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January 13, 2014 at 10:10 pm
It’s the best place to be, but the hardest place to find. 🙂
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January 13, 2014 at 8:08 pm
That sounds like quiet a challenge, though one I should attempt. I am bad about focusing on ambition (that is, when I’m in one of my ambitious phases and not my lazy phases). I will set my sights constantly on the next objective and even though I’m not necessarily unhappy with where I am, I’m always pushing for the next thing. Finding the ability to rest in the contentedness of my situation is probably a really good idea. Before I explode.
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January 13, 2014 at 8:47 pm
It appears that “someone” is ahead of me in the great inbox derby. Wonder if Linda has read any good manuscripts lately?
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January 13, 2014 at 9:07 pm
Haha! Wait, what?!
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January 13, 2014 at 9:22 pm
}:-))> * Haunted inbox *
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January 13, 2014 at 9:59 pm
I find it helps every once in a while to just try to concentrate on being in the moment and focus on what I have rather than what I’m currently wishing for. It doesn’t always last long, but it usually helps. It’s like a mini-vacation from stress. And the best thing is, I don’t have to try to fit into a bathing suit. 😀 Because nobody wants to explode out of one of those.
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January 13, 2014 at 7:54 pm
That fine line in which everything is perfect. Nothing is particularly wrong, or right. Everything just… is. The middle ground.
I love that line. Great post. It has this Buddhist Zen vibe to it.
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January 13, 2014 at 9:55 pm
Thank you, J.D. Every once in a while I’m just feeling it. Most of the time I’m looking for it. 🙂
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January 13, 2014 at 7:50 pm
It is possible, unless you are stuck in a depression. Depression can’t be thought away. It can be accepted for what it is, but it is very hard to simply focus on more positive things. I tried this with more determination I have ever placed on anything. It took professional therapy, and a great cocktail of drugs. Now? I can focus on things for what they are. I can just be.
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January 13, 2014 at 9:54 pm
It’s wonderful that you’ve come through depression, able to allow things to just be. My favourite quote is “Happiness is the absence of the striving for happiness”. – Chuang-Tzu (350 B.C.) I think as a society we are constantly pushed into finding happiness. It’s when we’re able to stop striving and we start looking at the world around us for what it is, that we can find peace. Only then can we find the happiness within ourselves.
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January 13, 2014 at 7:15 pm
What a deep but wonderful thought that is. It will do for me let’s hold that thought. [~_~]
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January 13, 2014 at 9:45 pm
Yes, let’s. 🙂
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January 13, 2014 at 6:43 pm
I never thought of it that way before, but you’re right. Contentment.
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January 13, 2014 at 6:45 pm
🙂
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January 13, 2014 at 6:37 pm
Very Zen.
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January 13, 2014 at 6:38 pm
If there was a straight-faced emoticon, now would be the time to use it. 😉
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January 13, 2014 at 6:40 pm
:I
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January 13, 2014 at 6:41 pm
That’ll do. :l
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