Focus

Several years ago my hubby decided to get into mountain biking.  We bought fancy bikes, that cost way more than bicycles should cost, and all the gear that went with them and off we went.  My problem is, that while I am quite able to ride a bike on pavement, I am less capable riding on anything else.  However, I really didn't know that little tidbit of information until I was on the side of this mountain:

This particular "trail", although I argue that something that is about 18 inches wide cannot be classified as a trail, was "easy".  But "easy" is definitely in the eye of the beholder (or the rider in this case) and this "trail" is on the side of a mountain (if you look about halfway up the picture you can see the trail in question) and as a I mentioned I'm not the most accomplished rider. 

Darling hubby tells me it is all about focus.  If you don't want to end up down the mountain into the cholla cactus, focus on where you want to go and not where you don't want to go.  Sounds easy enough, right?  But unfortunately for me, said hubby mentions a snake track along the trail and that was all I could focus on wondering where that snake had slithered off to.  Before I knew it, this is where I ended up:

Let's just say the cholla cactus won and years later I still have a piece embedded in my leg.  A whole lot of pain all because I lost focus.

It is the same thing in life, if you focus on your problems, you will be filled with anxiety, anger, doubt, frustration. But if you focus on what makes you happy, guess what?  You will be filled with happiness.  It's all about focus!

What is happiness anyway? Is the pursuit of ones happiness being selfish? What will truly make you happy?  Power?  Money? A great job?  A family? A relationship?

Arlene Pellicane made some great points about happiness when she said,

    Happiness is about contentment. It’s not about comparison.
    Happiness looks out for others. It’s not only concerned with itself.
    Happiness is at peace with God. It’s not trying to win a popularity contest.
    Happiness is saying thank you. It isn’t saying I deserve better.
    Happiness chooses to respect. It doesn’t choose to retaliate.
    Happiness forgives. It doesn’t warehouse grudges.

So what makes you happy?  And on what will you choose to focus?