On Focus in Change

The following is an assignment I fulfilled for a comparative literature class, as a response to Montaigne's essays. In most of his essays, he seemed to start with simple subjects, and then go on to apply them in a deep way to his own life. There are some, however, that deal with deep subjects throughout. This essay was a last minute product of much procrastination, and sprung forth in about 20 minutes.

            It is an innermost desire for many to grow and become better than they now perceive themselves to be. To sit by and allow life to happen can cause one to feel that he is always victim to his circumstances, and that he is never acting, but only being acted upon. He begins to feel that he cannot change, even while the world around him is constantly in motion. These are negative feelings; naturally, we move to avoid them.

            However, change is uncomfortable. As much as it hurts to sit, it is easy, because it is familiar. So it is with all habits or even addictions; that, while they ultimately decrease our feelings of value and love, they are nonetheless comfortable.

            When the individual has decided that he can no longer remain in his present state, and moves despite the discomfort of it, he begins the task of change. Change, as we know, is not always easy. There is a paradox, which is not often spoken of in scripture or elsewhere, but which is a plague to many, particularly to those who are over-zealous for change. The paradox is this: that to change requires the identification of one aspect of one’s self that must be done away with; and to effectively do away with a well-set-in characteristic, one must consistently focus on it and work at it until it is removed. Yet in the process of focusing on such a characteristic, one serves also to set it in, for it seems universally true that those things which we think about most become part of us.
Furthermore, each time that he fails to control his thoughts regarding the matter, he becomes upset and recognizes that he has yet again failed to change. His emotional response only digs the trench of habit deeper.

NO.

Consider this example: Tom had been raised to believe that Rudolf is a red-nosed reindeer. He had sung songs about it many times, and if you were to ask him what first comes to his mind when you say, “Rudolf the red-nosed…” he would always say, “Reindeer.” But Tom discovers as he grows up that the concept of Reindeer is immoral and detestable. It is wrong to say it, and it is wrong to think it, and it is high time that he got rid of it altogether.  The true word is buffalo. Rudolf is a red-nosed buffalo. So from that point on, whenever he hears, “Rudolf the red-nosed…” he inserts, “Buffalo.” Now, how likely is it that Tom is going to succeed in his removal of the bad trait, and his insertion of the good trait? Every time he fails, he thinks, “No, no, no! It’s not ‘reindeer!” I keep on thinking ‘reindeer,’ when I know very well that it is in truth a buffalo. Buffalo. I can’t believe I failed at this again.” His method is not working. But Tom is a pragmatic man, really. He can see now that he needs a new method.

YES.

So, turning therefore from the approach of focusing on and removing an undesired trait, one may attempt to ignore it all together, in the hopes that it will fall from their life. “There is no reindeer,” Tom will say. “There is no issue, and I am just fine.” Yet as time goes on, Tom realizes that he is not fine. His friends have left him, he’s lost his job, and his dog has died, because he cannot change to what he knows is right.

            How then, can one change? What is the effective method? To justify or ignore a problem is to remain in the wrong, and yet to attack the problem will only serve to make it fester.

            I have found great wisdom and help in my own life from the counsel of Paul, when at the end of his epistle to the Romans, he advises us to be “wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.” This is the great key to balance. Think how Tom would benefit from this counsel. In place of his old thoughts, now he thinks, “I recognize the wrong in my life. Now, there are so many opportunities for good, and for change. I am excited for these opportunities, and I mean to take advantage of them.” His focus is not now on the wrong, nor even on the change. His focus is simply on that which is good. This is the only way in which I have been successful at change, namely when I forgive the evil, seek after the good, and persist in focusing toward worthy goals. In pursuing such a course, we find that the undesired traits will fall from our lives on their own, because they are no longer in focus, no longer necessary, and no longer in harmony with our new destinations. 

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Ultimately, the way to change is to follow the Savior Jesus Christ. He is the Worthy One we should be focused on, the good that we should strive after. In trying to become like Him, and serve Him by serving others and obeying His commandments, we will find the Spirit of God fills our lives. And no one can feel the Spirit of God and not be changed.