Focus on what you want, not what you don't want

Recently, I went to an opthamologist to get my annual eye exam. I was thinking about how my insurance would cover the cost of new eyeglasses and so my mind began to consider what kind of frames I would like as I sat in the doctor's waiting room.

The assistant tested my vision and dilated my pupils and then the doctor came into the darkened room and began to look into my eye. She seemed to linger over my left eye for quite some time and I overheard her say something to the assistant about a hole. After the doctor finished, she turned on the light and pulled her chair up next to me.

"You have a small hole in your retina," she said.

I felt a cold chill go through my body and I sat in stunned silence.

"I'm going to refer you to a specialist and we'll see if we can get you in right away." She went on to tell me that the holes can sometimes lead to a tear in the retina, which causes blindness. I might need laser surgery, she told me.

It was a lot to take in. Here I had just been thinking about what eyeglass frames I might get and now I was being told that there was a possibility that I could lose my vision in one eye.

She and the assistant left the room and I sat quietly taking in what I had just heard. It reminded me of the day when I learned that my hearing had been impaired drastically by antibiotic ear drops that I had been prescribed.

I found myself thinking, "First my hearing and now my vision. It's not fair."

The doctor came in and said that I was to drive right over to the specialist's office, and he would see me. The assistant gave me a pair of cardboard sunglasses to protect my still dilated eyes, and I left the office.

On the way to the specialist's office, I began to observe my thoughts and feelings and to consider what I believed. I knew that I needed to move away from the fear thoughts and feelings that I was experiencing. I needed to focus on what I wanted rather than the appearances and possibilities that had shaken me in the doctor's office.

I began to focus my attention on my eye and to see it healthy. I affirmed aloud that the indwelling presence of God was in all the cells of my body including the cells of my eye. I affirmed that this divine presence was healing the hole in my eye. I kept affirming this all the way over to the other doctor's office. When I arrived, I gave thanks for this healing that was taking place.

The specialist dimmed the lights in his office and peered into my eye with his instrument. He spent several minutes examining it. Then he pushed his chair back and began to make notes on his chart. I was quiet during this time, but my heart was racing.

"You are a very lucky lady," the doctor said finally. "The kind of hole that you have should heal on its own. He said that 90% of the time, this is what happens.

"Others are not so lucky," he added.

I let out my breath, which I seemed to have been holding, and tears began to stream down my cheeks. The doctor smiled and handed me a tissue. He said that I should come back in two months so that he could check my eye.

On the way home, I felt so grateful for my sight, something that I have always taken for granted in the past. I also realized that I needed to continue to focus on my eye being healed and not see it as damaged.

As all metaphysicians know, our thoughts impact our bodies. Science is also proving that as well. I took biofeedback lessons at one point to learn how to stop migraine headaches by increasing the warmth in my hands and feet. I had to think about my hands and feet growing warmer and picture it happening. And it worked.

What do you want to see in your future? That is what you should focus on now, at this moment.

Comments

[Airin]

Dear Carla,
It was just the inspiration that I needed today. As I am in transition from the abrupt ending to the ministry in the Shenandoah Valley of VA after 11 months there. I have been focusing on what I want as I process where I am with everything so it has been a bit of a roller coaster.

Thanks,
Airin

[Carla]

I am trusting that this is just another part of your journey and that all is in divine order. Buddha talked about the arrows that were sent in his direction turning into flowers. I see that for you as well. Trust in the process and know that you are being guided to your right and perfect place.