I really surprised myself this week. For much of my life, I have reacted poorly to things that have happened. Often, things in the big picture which are not that big a deal, but in the moment seem earth shattering. However, there is an incredible thing called perspective, which has helped me enormously. So, what I’ve discovered this week, despite the things I don’t have, I’m incredibly grateful for what I do.
The best way to describe the week I’ve just had, is a personal growth week. That’s a polite way of putting it. I won’t bother you with all the things that happened; however, there’s one experience I want to talk about, because there’s a powerful lesson. Every Wednesday afternoon and evening I volunteer to spend time with, feed, and connect with homeless people around the city of Melbourne. They come into a venue in the city, to connect, to eat, to be warm, and to feel normal for a short amount of time. It is something that I love to do and is an incredibly fulfilling part of my life.
On Wednesday just gone, I made a rookie error. I put down my mobile phone and turned my back away from it for a moment. I was playing music from my phone via Bluetooth through a large speaker and put my phone on top of the speaker. I then got distracted. As I was talking with someone, I noticed the music had stopped playing. I turned around and my phone was gone. I’m not sure how you would respond to that, however as for many people, everything – and I mean everything – is on my phone. In times past, I would’ve spiralled into victim mode. I would’ve gotten angry, been stressed and anxious, and I would’ve been incredibly angry that someone had stolen my property. However, this time, for some reason, I was surprisingly calm.
I’m not sure why, as my life was on my phone, and tragically, I knew I hadn’t backed everything up. Therefore, I knew I was going to lose a fair bit of stuff. So, not only did I lose my phone, but I lost a whole heap of photos, many messages, and a lot of other things that are important to me. I thought, incredibly, yes, someone has taken my phone, and really, I should be angry, but I’m not. Why? Because, at the end of the night, I just walked out of that building without my phone, and most of the homeless people walked out that night without a home to go to or a bed to sleep in. I got to walk out of the building with a great life, a partner who loves me, with friends and family I am grateful for, a home to go to, and purpose in my life. I didn’t have the phone, but I did have a cause for celebration.
As I thought about the person who stole my phone, I reflected on the reason why they would’ve done that. I thought about the life they must be living, the struggles they must be having, and the fear that must be in their life. I then again thought about my life, the love, the security, the resources, and the joy that I have. And I realised I’m not the victim here, I am absolutely the blessed one.
Isn’t it easy to focus on the things we don’t have? The problem with that, is the more we focus on what we don’t have, the less chance we will ever have those things. So, my greatest encouragement for you this week is to focus on what you do have, because when you do, you’ll realise you’ve got so much to be grateful for. And, what you focus on, you will attract into your life. So, please focus on the amazing things you already have. You may want more money, but I am sure you have enough now. You may want more friends, but I am sure you have some great ones already. You may want more energy, but don’t forget to celebrate the wellbeing you already have. Are you getting my drift?
This week I have published two cracking podcasts that will help you in this area. I talk with Justin Grifford in a podcast called Start poorly, and Mort Orman in a podcast called Embrace wrongness. Just remember, every day and every situation provides an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to find joy and purpose in life. It is my greatest encouragement this week, that you spend more time focussing on what you have.