It's Time to Shift our Focus & Energy

With our country focused 24/7 on the coronavirus, let’s take pause to think about all of the good in our world. Even though it’s not covered by the media, peace, love, joy, and goodness is all around us.

Last night’s news showed an actual fight over a pack of toilet paper. Yet today in my grocery store, I watched a young couple offer the last pack of Charmin to an elderly woman. On my car radio, I heard an endless list of cancellations—schools, sporting events, concerts, committee meetings, community gatherings—even church. At home, I scanned through Facebook and found an equally long list of people offering support—daycare for those impacted by school closures, people swapping groceries and supplies, others extending an empathetic ear.

Even though we’re bombarded by constant doom and gloom, yesterday someone paid for my drink at Starbucks. My daughter sent a video of my 3-year-old grandson ‘calling’ me on his baby monitor, and a friend I haven’t talked with in months gave me a call.

People can use a lift now more than ever, so consider what you can do to spread a little kindness and cheer. Bake cookies for your neighbor. Offer to babysit or host a small gathering for friends who are itching to get out. Call your mom. Send your niece a care package.

While we should absolutely take preventative measures and use an abundance of caution to stay healthy, it’s time to shift some of our focus and energy away from the virus. Otherwise, as country superstar Luke Bryan states in his smash hit, “Most People Are Good,” “I believe if you just go by the nightly news, your faith in all mankind would be the first thing you lose.”

Instead of focusing on what’s going wrong, let’s shift our attention to the generosity and goodness that abounds in our communities and our world. And let’s show our appreciation by passing it on!

This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction blended with new age spirituality. 

***New Release!***Restart in Bristol, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance—He’s a hot mess. She wants stability. Will these childhood sweethearts risk another pass at love? https://amzn.to/37cCw1b.

Cloud Whispers—2019 IPPY Bronze winner for Visionary Fiction. The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate: https://amzn.to/2IZ6DRc.

To sign up for Sedona’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/ (No spam—ever!)

Recommended Reading:

The Success Principles by Jack Canfield: https://amzn.to/39SgKSt

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne: https://amzn.to/2GwSGJc

The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra: https://amzn.to/2C9BF5k

Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.

Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash

Will it Matter in an Hour…or a Week?

Last fall, my husband, curly-coated retriever, and I vacationed in Alabama. On the first night at our beautiful resort, I took a walk with my dog, Milkduds. We took in scenic views of the Tennessee River, layers of mountains in the distance, and trees colored in their full autumn glory. We walked for miles before circling back. Hot and tired, I was more than ready to return to our room.

The side of the large property was the closest entrance so we trekked up a hill to get there only to find a sign next to the door that indicated a key card was required for entry. No problem. I whipped out my card and swiped it. 

The light didn’t turn green.

I tried again and became frustrated when my card still didn’t work. Resigned to walk around the property to the front door, I stole a glance at Milkduds, expecting him to be frustrated, too. Instead, he gave me a sweet doggie grin and a happy swish of his tail.

Sometimes, the little things in life suck us down. But only if we let them. I decided then and there to be more like my sweet, happy dog. 

It was just one door. There were plenty of other entrances even if they required another walk. I reminded myself if this was my biggest issue of my day, I had it pretty darn good. With my new and improved perspective, I tried my key card one more time (it didn’t work), and then tugged on the door anyway. To my surprise and delight, the door opened!

There are regularly obstacles in our lives. Like the door, how many of them are self-imposed? And, like the door, how many of our obstacles are so trivial they don’t warrant our energy and attention?

I’ve gotten into the habit of asking myself whether the issue at hand will it matter in an hour, a week, or a month? If the answer is no (and usually it is), why fret? Consider alternate options or power through and move on to the more important things in your life. 

“Intelligence consists in ignoring things that are irrelevant. ”––Nassim Nicholas Taleb

This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction blended with new age spirituality. 

Nora’s Promise, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance— Reader's Favorite 2019 Bronze Contemporary Romance winner and 2019 NIEA Bronze winner: She trusts animals more than men. He races through women like checkered flags. Can one orphaned boy bring them both to the finish line? https://amzn.to/2OktquX

The Perfect Lap, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance—2019 Reader’s Favorite Contemporary Romance Finalist: His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv

***New Release!***Restart in Bristol, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance—He’s a hot mess. She wants stability. Will these childhood sweethearts risk another pass at love? https://amzn.to/37cCw1b

To sign up for Sedona’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/ (No spam—ever!)

Recommended Reading:

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne: https://amzn.to/2GwSGJc

The Ten Commitments by Dr. David Simon: https://amzn.to/2UEH0J2

The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra: https://amzn.to/2C9BF5k

Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.

Photo by BRUNO CERVERA on Unsplash