Susan was busy with some chores last weekend, so she told me if I could take Tina for her Gym class and I happily agreed 🙂 Tina is not just my niece, she is my inspiration, my little teacher who has given me so many pondering thoughts in my blogging journey so far 😉 I love Tina and hope you guys love my Tina blogs….

Coming back to Gym class, the teacher had Tina and the other children balance on their toes for a full minute, the timer ticking away on the projector screen. The other kids wobbled and swayed, eyes glued to the clock, willing the seconds to pass. But my little Tina stood steady — looking at me, smiling, not once losing her form…. I was so proud — Tina’s grown that fit!

While returning, I complimented Tina that she was so good and guess what Tina told me…. Aunty I knew that when I look at the clock, I wait for that minute to get over and then I can’t focus on my form, thus, I was smiling and looking at you and the time just went by…..

Wow, isn’t that an awesome observation coming from a 10 year old. I loved it but I wanted to check this out myself; so yesterday while I was doing a floor plank, I just put some nice music in my ears and looked the other way and not at my stop watch while holding my form. Tina was so right, when I focused on the music and other things happening around me and not on every second passing by, I was able to improve my hold time considerably.

In Life too, when we are stuck in situations, sometimes a small shift in our Focus can make all the difference. Because Life is about change and Clock and Calendar are the best reminders for that but do we have any control over it…Can we stop Date or Time from changing? Unfortunately, that’s not possible, so focusing on the wrong element will just increase our anxiety and diminish our form (just like in Tina’s gym class).

Next time, notice when you are waiting for the red signal to become green or when you are stuck in a traffic jam….try to enjoy the ride, converse with your family members sitting next to you in the car; if you are travelling alone, enjoy the music that you like the most and I promise you will feel “This was quick” Try it! And then promise yourself to be more conscious about choosing your focus. Just got reminded of a beautiful couplet:

“वक़्त गुज़रता है और ख़र्च हम होते हैं।”
This literally means “Time passes, and we are the ones who get spent.”

So focus on enjoying life, my friend, rather than just being spent. When you can accomplish better by not looking at your troubles and by focusing on the brighter side, then what is stopping you my friend. The situation is the same but a small shift in Focus can *change everything*, then, what is the harm in being more conscious in making informed choices for better results!

Be conscious to Focus on your health (both physical and mental health), on your wellbeing and your loved ones. Life is a gift, so stand tall just like Tina and hold your form…. This too shall pass!