Focus on your Purpose not your Problems.....

I saw this as part of a daily plan on you version called the "Happiness Habit." It seems we have the tendency to focus on all the things going wrong in our lives instead of what is going well. In this we focus on our problems over our purpose. How can we move to a purpose driven focus and increase our mindfulness and be positive?

It is easy to focus on the half empty glass. We think about all that is going wrong in our life instead of all the things that we are so blessed with.

In the book "One" (I would recommend everyone read it. Thanks Logan for getting it for me!) it states "You are royalty.....

• If you have food in your refirgerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep..... you are richer than 75% of the world's population.
• If you have a little money in the bank and spare change in a dish somewhere.....you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.
• If you can drink from your kitchen faucet whenever you want.....you are more fortunate by far than 1.5 billion people who have no access to clean water at all.
• If you can attend a church or political rally without fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death.....you have the kind of freedom denied to more than three billion people in the world.
• If you can read this message, you are more blessed than two billion people who cannot read.
• If your every day problems are weighing you down, there are millions of people on Earth who would gladly trade places with you right now-problems and all-and feel they have been royally blessed.

Remember: "From those to whom much is given, much is expected."

Even with this knowledge we still focus on the unpleasant things in our life. I find myself falling into this trap. It is so very important for me to be mindful and focus on the positive things in my life. My intentions are always good and then I start drifting back to the sadness, the wrong, the stress and the overwhelming feelings that feast on the negativity.

I have so many things that I am so very thankful for. I have a husband that I adore and that adores me. He is everything that other women would dream of in a husband. I have two healthy children who are a joy. I have a daughter that has her four years of college paid for. I have a sister who can end my sentences and give me the support and love I need during difficult times. I have a mother that I enjoy spending time with. She is so brave and strong. She is a light that shines when I see darkness. I can go on vacation and pay my bills. I have a flexible job that allows me to live out my purpose by helping others. I live close to my place of employment which allows me more time with my family.

When I assess all these things I realize just how blessed I am and how being mindful of the positive and living out my purpose is essential for my happiness.

So with all of the above blessings, why do I go to the problems? I miss my dad and want to hear his voice and advice almost more than I want to breathe. I need to lose weight in order to be a better steward of this temple of God. I worry so much and often focus so much on the worst case scenario that I can't see past it. I can't make everything okay for those who need help. I want peace in a war filled world.

So how do we get to a positive perspective and have a mindful focus?

1. Every day wake up with a grateful heart. Write down five things everyday that you are thankful for.

2. Start each day with a deep breath and a fresh perspective.

3. Do something everyday to move yourself closer to your dreams and your purpose.

4. Practice random acts of kindness.

5. Take time each day to do something you love.

6. Appreciate the simple things.

7. Enjoy nature.

If I were to ask you what your purpose is, would you know? My challenge for you today is to think about your purpose and think about how you can look at your glass as half full.

I challenge you to be mindful of your thoughts. When you start jumping to all your problems, start focusing on your purpose. Develop a strategy. Develop a plan. Follow through and stay positive. Focus on your purpose not your problems.