Mindy and I were discussing the other day the many challenges that we have faced in the past few years. We moved, I changed jobs (twice), we took in a foster child, illness, we have had financial setbacks, the economy itself, etc., etc. We have done many things to work on these issues. We have studied books, attended seminars, studied more books, listened to books on tape, all in the effort to understand our problems and overcome them. Our goals and intentions were good, but our focus for at least the past 5 years has been on our problems. We have unwittingly fed and encouraged our problems by constantly studying them, thinking about them and living them.

How many of us are doing this in almost every aspect of our lives? We often focus on what we do not have or what is currently stressing us. We seldom have a goal, an aspiration or desire for what we actually want.
If we spend the day focusing on gratitude, we have a grateful heart and minor setbacks aren’t a bid deal. If we focus on love, we have a loving heart and when the kids are fighting, the house is a mess, work is stressful, etc. we are able to lovingly, think through the issues and come at things with a loving heart. This might sound all la-dee-da, but all actions and behaviors start with a simple thought. Positive or negative, it motivates our responses and actions.

I have been a fan of daily affirmations ever since I read “Think and Grow Rich” a few years ago. The author, Napoleon Hill, describes affirmations as auto-suggestion (telling yourself a positive and uplifting suggestion). I have a list of them that I have memorized and say throughout the day either in my mind or out loud when I am in the car. I have said them out loud at work before and the looks I get are always a lot of fun. You can create affirmations for yourself, your marriage, your family, work, specific skills you need, etc. The possibilities are endless. Many people recommend that you say them at least 6 or 7 times per day to really get them embedded in your mind. The key is to feed your subconscious thoughts with positive words until you thoroughly believe it in your conscious mind. I also find that when life is stressful, just by jumping into my affirmations, I feel almost lighter. I can feel a physical change in my heart and mind.
If you are constantly focusing on your problems, sins, weaknesses, sadness, losses, etc. these will continue. Remember knock and It shall be opened, ask and you shall receive? Heavenly Father loves us so much, that he gives us what we ask for. Whether it is good or bad. Of course there are exceptions, but generally this is the rule.

If we are to move forward and change our lives for the better, we must change our focus. If money is the problem, we must focus on abundance. If sin is the problem, we must focus on the atonement of Jesus Christ and the good news of His Gospel. If loss is the problem, we must learn to look forward to the beautiful potential in front of us. You get the point. What you focus on is what you get!