Matthew Ferrara, Philosopher

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Focus on the Good

Focus on the good. 

If you’re unsure of what‘s good about life, go to the airport. Sit in any gate. Listen to what people are complaining about. Eavesdrop on what they’re arguing about on the phone. Watch what causes them to snap at each other or melt down on the gate agent. 

Then watch a stranger offer to carry the heavy bag for the lady whose hands were full with her ticket, her pocketbook and her walking cane. 

That’s the benchmark: Deciding what to see.  All that other stuff - the flight is late, the bad hotel, the bad seat, the wait in line - can’t possibly, meaningfully, absurdly matter.

To decide what matters, we must learn to direct our focus. 
To focus is more than to observe; it is to select.
To select is to capture for safe keeping; and to reflect on the good around us.  

I’m loved at home. I’m loved at my destination.   Along the way, I’ve somehow lost the urge for these arguments or the desire to indulge such  frustrations or make these dilemmas the most important part of the picture. They could get my attention: but I’m empowered to make that unlikely - if not entirely rare. 

The Good Life starts by seeing the Good in Life.  

So I try to notice the polite gestures. The catch the kind nods. And appreciate the fantastic achievements all around us. I remind myself I’m about to board a technological marvel, fly faster than a speeding bullet and higher than the tallest mountain. To bend time and space for less than the cost of a decent meal. In comfort and safety made possible by total strangers. To land in a place where good friends will take good care of me, even though I’m supposed to be the one delivering the service.

As I take off on the first leg of the 2020 Adventure, I am more confident than ever that the most important thing I carry with me isn’t the data or technology in my bag; it isn’t even the years of training and experience under my belt. It’s my perspective in my mind; my attitude; my view that the good world can be found everywhere. 

It just depends upon where we set our sights.

#alwaysinspiring