In the last installment of Dr. Sinn’s Bin, we talked about the importance of the phrase “your focus determines your reality.” There is a good example of how a person’s focus can affect his (or her) reality in the movie Aviator.
There is a YouTube video with scenes from the movie, which is meant to show examples of OCD, and is entitled Howard Hughes – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. In the third scene of this clip, two men come to see Howard Hughes in the hanger with a design for a new aircraft, that they are very happy and proud of. The scene then portrays how Howard Hughes becomes distracted by a speck or crumb on the lapel of one of the men. Mr. Hughes focus affects his reality.
To Mr. Hughes, what is important and affects the reality of his relationship with the aircraft designers is the dirt on the man’s lapel. The reality and importance of the aircraft design, and the respect for the men who designed it become secondary to Mr. Hughes’ reality of the importance of cleanliness. What is of primary importance to Mr. Hughes trumps everything else, even something as important to him as a new aircraft.
This is an important lesson for all of us to learn. I need to become mindful of what my focus is on, in the moment, and in turn of how my focus determines my reality. If I discern that my reality is consistent with the destructive mindset, then I am challenged to alter my focus in such a way that my reality becomes constructive. The benefit I derive is consistent with the way of peace, compassion, and assertiveness. I become free to maintain my identity and to demonstrate empathy. Constructive Mindset training is a worthwhile endeavour indeed.