Sometimes the Best Thing We Can Do Is Unfocus

Sometimes the Best Thing We Can Do Is Unfocus

It’s Sunday.

For a lot of people, it’s a day to catch up.

To make lists.

To get organized before Monday arrives.

But maybe today doesn’t have to be about focusing harder.

Maybe today is a day to unfocus.

A few days ago, my husband looked at me on the beach, smiled, and said something I haven’t been able to stop thinking about.

“Unfocus, Becky.”

At first, I thought he meant to stop looking for shells.

But that’s not what he meant.

He meant to stop looking so intently at one tiny piece of the world that I forgot to see the ocean.

The more I’ve thought about it, the more I’ve realized that I’ve needed that reminder more than once in my life.

Sometimes we become so focused on solving one problem that we don’t notice another path opening beside us.

Sometimes we become so focused on proving ourselves that we forget why we started.

Sometimes we’re so determined to find one answer that we miss ten beautiful questions.

I’ve learned that some of the most meaningful changes in my life didn’t happen because I focused harder.

They happened because I loosened my grip just enough to notice something I wasn’t looking for.

Maybe that’s what today is for.

Not giving up.

Not losing direction.

Just lifting your eyes for a moment.

Looking around.

Taking a deep breath.

And wondering…

What might I notice if I stopped trying so hard to find only one thing?

Sometimes the path forward isn’t hidden.

Sometimes we’ve simply been looking too closely to see it.