The Power of Practicing Gratitude and Focus

 Enjoying the Gifts of Focus and Practicing Gratitude

Practicing gratitude is such a remarkable thing to do, I've made it a lifelong, daily process. And it's one of the first steps in communicating with animals.

Did you know that what you focus on expands?

via GIPHY

It's true. Your body, mind and spirit are like a computer. So similar to when you search for something on Google, it uses your focus to determine what you want more of.

It doesn't judge or determine right or wrong; it doesn't decide if this is a 'good' focus or 'bad' one.

It just checks to see what you're looking at and gives you more of that by crowding out all the rest.

It follows your thoughts which are further reinforced by the emotional energy you give your focus.

That's it.

And by the way, it tends to ignore the weaker energies of wishing, hoping and negatives (like don't, shouldn't, or no).

If you focus on your problems, your bodymind and spirit understand that this is what's important to you.

Because that's what you are spending so much effort, energy and time dwelling on, it must be true.

So your bodymind naturally believes that you obviously want more of that, and is happy to oblige by giving you more problems.

If you focus on what you want instead, then that's what your bodymind enhances for you.

That's true of your relationships, your work, your health

And it's especially true of working with your animals.

When you focus on what's not working or what is upsetting to you about their behavior or health issue, they feel your focus, see what you are holding in your mind's eye, and pick up the strong emotions.

Then they get to interpret the communication for meaning, based on their viewpoint, experience and history.

The part about "I really wish you wouldn't do (that)" gets lost because what you don't want is crowding your thoughts, your mental monitor and your imagination.

If you focus on wishing your dog wouldn't get on the couch, then what they hear is all about being on the couch.

And they usually feel some excitement about that because you're excited energetically.

If you focus on your horse being so heavy in your hands, they get that you must like that because you are focusing so much on it.

So they keep doing it, maybe even more than before... until they pull you out right of the saddle.

If you focus on your cat's scratching the furniture, then they see the images you keep sending them. And will be happy to do it again, and again, and again and...

So what can you do to correct these and other problems?

Try focusing on what you DO want them to do. Feel how wonderful it would be if they did that (practicing gratitude) and imagine the great rewards they'd get if they did that instead. How fun it would be, how proud you would feel of them, what a joy they are to you...

Many times bad behavior or performance is simply a matter of misunderstanding your focus. It's all a matter of intention, perspective and communication, followed by gratitude.

"What lies before us & what lies behind us are small matters compared to what lies within us. And when we bring what is within out into the world, miracles happen." -Henry David Thoreau