Shifting Focus On Others And Not Just Ourselves

Shifting Focus 

It is really easy when you are sick and dealing daily with a chronic illness to be self focused. Okay, downright egocentric in some aspects. But this is understandable and no need for guilt for those who sit and do mental body wellness checks to make sure you are up to snuff.  But, when tragedies happen in the news and around us, it is time to shift focus to this outside of self and realize your strengths, your kindness and charitable acts.

This past July 20, 2012, James Holmes during a screening of the "Dark Knight" opened fired with his assault rifles and killed 12 people and injured 58 others.  On July 21, 2012 Tameka Raymond, the R&B Usher Raymond's ex-wife loss her 11year old son due to a jet ski accident. The list of tragedies can go on and on. But what rings true is when these tragedies strike a chord within you and you focus your thoughts, your talents, your prayers outward instead of inward.  

News of others hurting makes you realize that if you think you have it bad, there are others worse off than you.  So, I use these tragedies to keep my mind clear, and focused on things other than my own self pity.  Yes, you may be chronically ill, or having a bad day, or having a bad week, month, etc.  But, with chronic illnesses there is a time of calm when the aggressive symptoms of our illness ebbs and you start feeling your own kind of normal.  Think of the people whose normal is no more. A new normal for these individuals is what they face due to losing a loved one, or being impaired in some way after a tragedy.  

Empathy is a big word. I feel empathy for people.  Empathy keeps me humble. Empathy keeps me remembering my losses, my pains, my disappointments, so I feel for these individuals.  Empathy keeps me grounded and keeps me for being so self involved not to remember the pain and sorrow or happiness of my fellow man.   It doesn't cost anything to keep people who have suffered so in your mind, your thoughts and your prayers.  

So, as I close my thoughts are to the many, many stories of loss not mentioned.  My thoughts and prayers are with the families who have to some way, some how find the strength to carry on, which is easier said than done.  I may not have experienced your level of pain and sorrow, but I know pain and I know sorrow and my heart aches for you.  Please know, that on this day, someone is thinking of you, having compassion for you and praying for you.