READY, SET, FOCUS

Finishing Well (and WINNING) Requires Focus.

Earlier this week, I shared my take on Aesop’s fable, “The Hare & the Tortoise.” I asked readers to pick a side, examine similarities to each character, and consider areas where improvement is needed. Today, I want to push the subject matter a bit further with a variation of the story. 

It starts much the same. An overconfident rabbit and a cool and calm turtle. In this story, the Hare runs off but notices a pizza shop along the way, so he stops to dine outside while the Tortoise moseys by. After refueling, the Hare rushes toward the finish line only to slow down when he spots a bear trying to surf. He must think to himself; I can surf too, because the next thing you see is the Hare in swim trunks riding the waves. After enjoying a good time waterskiing, the Hare speeds toward the finish line. But the Tortoise has already crossed over to the winning side. 

The Tortoise, however slow, won the race again. Because he knew there was no time to engage in frivolous activities on the way to a victory. The Tortoise remained focused, whereas the overoptimistic Hare lost focus and lost the race. In the end, the one who kept his eyes on the prize sounded off with a shout. “I finished. I won.”

In this story, it was not a nap that did the Hare in. No, it was the distractions. Distractions must be the enemy of every focus-minded person in the world. They are indeed the enemy of direction. Distractions may even be best friends with every average man, woman, boy, and girl because an average person entertains distractions regularly.

We may laugh at the Hare and call him a Silly Rabbit because he allowed his eyes to lead him astray, but we deal with the same temptations. There are so many shiny ways to prosperity that a person can become overwhelmed with learning and trying them all, only never to reach their destiny. There are so many people that it seems overly complicated to commit to just one. Now that we have Google and YouTube, there are a million options for everything. We must stay strong, decisive, and intentional to win in the long run.  

Today, I will remain focused, and I will win the day.

And God willing, I will get up and win the next day and the next.

I will be consistent with those things that lead me toward my victory. 

I will be Purpose Driven.

I will forget about being flashy and acting overconfident. 

Instead, I will be me. Naturally. 

I will get rid of and let go of the things (even good opportunities) that do not align with my physical, mental, and spiritual goals.  

I admit that I cannot do all I am talented enough to do simultaneously. 

Today and over the weekend, I will practice refocusing on what matters most.

Words of Wisdom to Discover

Colossians 3:2 and Hebrews 12:1

Have a Focused Friday!

Leah

Credits: 

• Each coaster is handmade and, hopefully, UPlifting! 🙏🏽 Thank you in advance for your patronage.
• Photo from the original Aesop fable.
• Cup from my mother’s kitchen cabinet.