Mindset

It is crucial to keep your head in the game.  In doesn’t matter if the “game” is a sports context, holiday event, or work, if you want to be a part of things you will need to stay focused, alert, and ready to respond.  I often find my mind wandering; it is as if I have misplaced my focus for just a bit.  Yet those who win big maintain their focus across the lulls, casual moments, and down time.  We have a choice in every moment of every day of what we will do in that moment.  In this balance rests our life focus.  Loose the focus, and potentially lose direction, purpose, and intent.  The problem in mindset exists because much of the time one never had a focus to loose.
 
Traveling reminds one of the types of underlying purposes found in different cities.  When I go to Madras in southern India I find people balancing their response to religious calling and pursuing excellence in whatever they are doing.  In many ways they have found something which works.  Temples and churches are open extended hours; auspicious times seem to balance with the needs of business instead of conflict.  Harmony comes from the differences between people.  The work ethic and reputation of the people there reflects the intensity they bring to live and the journey.  It is as if the city is replaying the behavior of Jerusalem of old when “the Jewish Passover was coming up.  Crowds of people were making their way from the country up to Jerusalem to get themselves ready for the Feast.”  (John 11.55)  Everything intensely blends together.
 
New York is similar only the two gods are business and enjoyment.  Intensity on both fronts seems to be more the norm than the exception.  Great food, fantastic entertainment, living on the edge all form part of the norm which blends the personal, profession, and the relationships into an intense, driving combination.  Visitors get caught up in it as well. 
 
Today is a new day; I wonder if we know were our minds are set.