“How can you be sitting there working?” The look that started in the face of my husband and spread throughout his entire being should have told me something, but I missed whatever it was bothering him. The words had started flowing and I was focused in on my computer screen.

His interruption made room for the chaos. My oldest son had tied a string to a rubber spider and was running around the house with his two younger brothers trying to “Bop the Spider.” They thought they had invented a great game. My husband thought they were trying to make him lose his mind. I just wanted to return to my fortress of silence where the sounds could not reach me (despite the fact that the path of the boys crossed right in front of my desk every few minutes).

I was focused on my task and determined to get it done. The focus made the difference.

Time exists for me to accomplish all of the tasks I need to accomplish. My problems start with focusing on the wrong tasks. I get so caught up in busy work and the things of life that I can miss my purpose. I have to find a way to ignore the static of the world like I managed to ignore the game of “Bop the Spider.” My resolve to do the things that I know to do should be as focused as my writing that day.

Discovering the Things that Matter

1. Start with finding you passion – each person was placed on earth with a desire to accomplish a purpose. The world often crowds out that original goal. It may take some digging to uncover that passion but it will give you the guiding light for choosing the things that matter.

2. Make the moment right now – the only time you have is now. You spent yesterday. Tomorrow comes only of its own accord and with no guarantees. Use the time that you have to the best of your ability and in a way that pushes you one step closer to your purpose.

3. Refuse to compromise – give up just good and choose the better. The more I focus in on my purpose the more I will be able to recognize those things that are distracting me from reaching the finish line. I have to set my feet on a foundation that will give me the strength to let the good go and grab hold of the better that will propel me to success.

Success starts with learning to sort through all the stuff life throws at me and choosing the better things. Something will always be demanding my attention. I have to develop a habit of shutting out the games of “Bop the Spider” so that I can continue the pursuit of my passion with bold determination.