For a moment today, I thought I was going to be a complete focus failure. If you saw my post from Monday, Focus is my "focus topic" for this week!
That's Focus, capital F.
For serious.

Today is "Check-In" day to see how my week focussing on Focus is going! :)

***

I wavered a bit today when somebody crossed a clearly placed, healthy boundary.
When it happened, my body chemically responded, and my brain turned off into blankness, including the part of my brain that helps me see.
Briefly, I lost memory that I had something way more important to do than lose myself to drama.

The experience was probably something like watching a play in football. That move where someone is supposed to catch the ball and run, but almost drops it?

For half a second the ball had wings,
then flew back to me.

Upon recovery of the ball, I realized how expertly my day was going.
The challenge to my focus was mere opportunity for me to get better and perfect it!

I came back to myself, tucked that brown leather under my arm and made a touchdown!
Thank you, Jesus!

I've never played football a single day in my life, and only watched it a few times, but I
I definitely know you get to dance when you make touchdown, and that's enough to make me hustle!

More dancing is needing in my life!
That is what it's all about!

***

In today's experience, I realized my boundary was actually still my boundary, regardless of anyone's inability to respect it.
Instead of being upset that someone crossed way over a well-marked line, and responding by losing my peace and/or my ability to function and complete my goals for the day, the boundary (and I) became more solid and stable. The crossing affirmed boundaries I have created are exactly the ones that need to stay, and be reinforced.

In so doing, I am that much more grounded!

Focussed!!!

No day wasted, no failure. No Drama!
Basically, a party at the end of the day!

Showing up works.
My faith in it grows stronger at every intersection of "Do I stay or do I go?"

I have a job. I'm self-employed
I take my job seriously, and I'm dedicated to it.
I show up whether I feel like it, or not, and
whether it is hard, or not.
I get to make decisions about my life.
Nobody needs to get on their knees, or ask what my decision is more than once.
("The Clash" reference...you gotta listen to the song at the end ;) )
The verdict is in:
The focused, healthy me, stays! Bullies go!

My job gets better every day!
I get better every day.

That also means, I am learning how to be nice to myself.

Part of me wanted to beat myself up for struggling with the ball.
My body had physiological fight/flight reactions and
it took real effort to stay focussed, and put my energy into working my program.
But I recovered there too.

I reached out, and didn't stay alone.
Ultimately, I was there for myself.

And through it all, I painted!

The day did not leave me with nothing to say.
I'm here....with Focus muscles nice and worked out.
Tired, but accomplished.
I conclude this day with integrity, self-respect, and progress!

I'm even having a little fun!

I couldn't have asked for a better day, actually, if I'd planned it myself.
Wait, I did plan it! My plan was to focus, I followed the plan, and killed it!
Win!

Day 28--Gold Star!

***

As I shared, some of my day was spent painting!
I have continued to take progress photos to share of my painting-in-process, but there are not as many stop-steps to show of the work today because I was SO focussed, I didn't stop often!

The first and last image is where the painting stands at the time of this posting. Click the image to view a slideshow of this painting in process.
This painting still has a ways to go...and I'm enjoying spending time, focussing on it!

(Maybe turn down the volume on this one if the kiddies are around ;) )