3 Points to Ponder
- “It is not what you focus on that matters. It is what you see. What affects your lens of the world?”
- “All of us can experience the same event, yet we all walk away with very different stories. How does your perspective shape your story? Is your perspective helpful?”
- “Beauty and pain can exist side-by-side. A great example is a mother giving birth to a child. Such pain exists in the labor and yet the beauty of it all is incredible. Categorizing emotions as mutually exclusive is easier but limiting. When have you done this well? In what situation could you do this better?”
2 Quotes to Share
“To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness.” -Howard Zinn
“The world you see is created by what you focus on. It is never too late to adjust your lens.” -Unknown
1 Story of Impact
This past week, our Marketing team traveled to Haiti to capture stores for the coming year. I’m always blown away by what they see, the interviews they conduct, and the videos they shoot. Like anyone remotely paying attention to what is happening in Haiti, it is easy to be caught up in all the bad. Kidnappings are at an all-time high. People are violated every day in a multitude of ways. Violence breaks out in the major cities on a weekly, if not daily, basis. Garbage is easy to spot and broken homes are in abundance. But, the lens of our Marketing team is different. They aren’t minimizing the struggle, as it is real. At the same time, there is great beauty to behold. Mothers raising their children to be strong. Marriages sticking together. Children attending school and transforming their minds. Abundant crops growing in fields. Engaged staff with a never-say-die attitude. The sunrise over the mountain. The vibrant colors of the tropical island. Both the good and the bad exist in the same space. Which do you choose to see? What story do you tend to focus on? Is your worldview big enough to hold both side-by-side, understanding each is true? This week, be aware of your emotions as you encounter different experiences. What story are you telling yourself about that particular experience? Whatever lens you decide to focus on during that experience, is it helping you become the best verison of yourself? What would that look like for you and how can you choose that lens more often?
