Hey friends! In this episode I dive into talking about how we should really be living presently and choose our focus of each day instead of living our life on auto pilot.
You are listening to episode 1, titled where is our focus?
Welcome to a community of women who strive to Let Him In.
Good morning! This is Kelsie Millet and I am your host here on the Let Him In Podcast, I Hope you guys are doing well, I truly am so thankful to have you here with me this morning as we officially start our 40 days together of letting God into our every day in a more intentional way.
Today is a big day since it is the official launch of the Hear Him Journal-
This journal was designed in a way that it is perfect for those just starting out on their prayer journey or for those looking for more depth in their prayer life. Wherever you fit on that scale, this journal will be a great tool for you. Allowing you to become closer to God by intimate personal experiences that will come through this journal.
As you dive into the Hear Him journal you will be walked through and guided on how to have intimate conversations with God.
The other day I was sitting in my sunroom reflecting on what I have been doing over the last few years to really let God become the focus of my day. And, you guys I am not perfect at this. Please know that, I still have a long way to go, and I mess up all the time. But, I have figured out a few things that have helped me, and that is what I want to share with you today.
So just a little background for you guys. I am a mom of 4 kids, my oldest being 8 and I am expecting a baby girl, our 5th baby this fall. And on top of that, I like most of you have mountains of laundry, dishes, messes, you name it, that need my attention. It is really really easy to get stuck in the everyday routine of life. It can be so repetitive- the same thing day after day, breakfast always needs to be made, kids need to go to school, you clean the same thing multiple times of day, right?! I am not complaining, it just is a lot of the same thing day to day.
The point I am trying to make is whether your day sounds exactly like I just described, or whether it’s a little bit different. At the end of the day there are things we do every single day over and over and over again. And our life really can be looked at as one big repetitive routine that we probably know like the back of our hand.
Now, I want you to remember the last time when you had that experience that we all have had at one point when we were driving home from somewhere and at some point you don’t remember taking certain turns or how all of a sudden you are magically in your driveway. We have all had this right?! We just went through the motions because our minds just knew what decisions to make and we didn’t even have to consciously think about them.
Now I know I’ve been somewhat jumping a little all over the place, so let me try and tie this all up for you. Today’s episode title, in case you didn’t notice is called “Where is Your Focus?” And as I was thinking about this topic, God gave me this small little insight about focus that I hadn’t seen before. In order to focus, truly focus throughout our day we can’t be sucked into our daily routine so much that our minds turn into an auto mode. As soon as we turn our minds into this auto mode we lose the ability to actually choose our focus. Our subconscious is trying to do its job that we really have just taught from our daily actions that we do every single day and we lose that chance to be present.
Present, I have never put together how being present is required in order for us to have focus. When we are being present we are truly living in an exact moment. We may be lucky making it through each day being on auto pilot, some days it may even be a saving grace. But, going back to my example of driving home, what is different when you are present? When you are focused on your surroundings?
You probably see the neighbor walking their dog, and maybe even waving at you. You notice the trees, or sunset, or whatever it may be. Maybe you even just get to notice the quiet and that you are by yourself. You get to notice the details. You aren’t missing them because you are present. Your focus is on driving home.
So let me pose the question, what are we missing in our daily lives when we are not living in the present, when we are just on auto pilot. What may God be trying to show us or teach us if we are not living with intentional focus?
We live in a world where everything is pulling for our attention, and everything tries to grab and have our focus. So where do we decide to put our energy?
Dallin H. Oaks says this-
“The ultimate Latter-day Saint priorities are twofold: First, we seek to understand our relationship to God the Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ… Second, we seek to understand our relationship to our family members….These relationships, secured in the way I have explained, provide eternal blessings available in no other way. ”
He puts it so plain and simple! Two priorities! We first need to focus on God. Second, those in our family. Remembering that to have focus you need to be present.
SO, I feel like the next question really becomes, how do you feel present with God? What does that look like for you?
I really love to think about my 5 senses. The more of my 5 senses that are stimulated at the same time, the easier it is for me to be present. To give you kind of a visual of this, at some point through my day I really try hard to make an intentional 5 minutes where I sit with God and write in my Hear Him journal. I love for it to be quiet, or if I can be outside and hear those outdoor nature sounds, that’s even better. I close my eyes and try to envision nothingness, if I have a picture or thought come to mind, I try to just let it go as easily as it came. I use my connection roller, which is an amazing essential oil roller that smells like heaven, it’s a mix of Frankincense and Bergamot. It seriously is so good (I will link for you in the show notes if you are interested). And then I obviously have my journal and pen.
Every single one of my senses is stimulated besides taste. Our brains are truly amazing and I know the more and more I do this little ritual the easier it is for me to become immediately present, and immediately be able to focus on God.
My secret weapon I really feel like to stay focused on God throughout the day is my connection roller. The smell has now become associated with God, with presence, with an intentional focus. So when my kids are freaking out, or I know I am about to lose it, I try to pull out my connection roller and try to say a quick prayer in my head as I roll it on the palms of my hands, or my neck, or wherever I am going to be able to smell it easily.
Now I want to ask you again, how do you feel present with God? What does that look like for you? We all have our own ways that we can feel this connection, and there really is no right or wrong way. And sometimes it just takes some experimenting to find what works best. And it might also just depend on your mood. Some days rely heavily on my music choices to help bring the spirit or to help calm my own spirit.
We. Can. DO this you guys! Believe me I know how quickly and convenient it can be to live in auto mode. But, I KNOW that we receive so many more blessings in our lives when we are focused.
Focused on God throughout our day. Not just one time. But intentionally through little moments as often as we can. We deserve to not be constantly distracted. We deserve to enjoy simple everyday life moments with our kids, or our spouse, or our friends. We deserve to see our day through God’s eyes, and I think that happens when we decide to not live on auto pilot and instead decide to be in control of what and where our focus is.
I am leaving you today with this two part journal prompt question: What am I distracted by throughout the day? And how can I increase my focus on God?
I really want you to sit with these questions- and if answers don’t immediately come. That’s ok! Take time to really figure it out for yourself. Ask Heavenly Father to help guide your heart to knowing how you can bring about this focus in your own life.
If you enjoyed today’s episode, or had any type of takeaway, sharing it with someone that you love or on Instagram is SO APPRECIATED. As this podcast is just starting out, any effort from you guys in sharing, leaving a review, or rating the show goes a LONG WAY in helping others begin to find the show.
I love you guys and again am so thankful to have you here. I will see you back in the morning with episode two. Leaving you with hopefully a little more stillness, an open mind and a desire to connect with God.
Talks Referenced:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2001/04/focus-and-priorities?lang=eng
One Comment
I am just beginning my Hear Him journal and listening to the episodes. I can tell this experience is going to help me draw closer to my Heavenly Father.
Thank you so much…