The 2020 Tokyo Olympics just ended, and what glorious performances have we seen from the athletes of all countries! From Simone Biles fighting through mental health challenges to win bronze on the balance beam to Alicia Abrams of Guyana giving it all her might in the 400 meters semi-finals and Caeleb Dressel coming away with a 5-gold medal haul in swimming. These athletes all showed up and competed valiantly and, in a sense, ‘won’ because they focused on what they could do versus what they could not.

What about you and me? As we face life’s challenges, we too need to focus on what we could do rather than what we cannot. Nothing good comes from spending time on things you do not have. Say, you have to work at home because of the pandemic. You hate it. Rather than expending time and energy on what you dislike – the distractions, lack of concentration, and loneliness at times, think about all that’s good about being able to work from home – no travel time and traffic jams; gas savings which means money in your pocket; being able to take a nap during the day – and give thanks.

Similarly, the pandemic has resulted in many restrictions on normal life day-to-day but there is a lot we can do like learning a new language, converting a hobby into a business venture, or becoming a DIY-ER to finish a project at home.

So start now with what you can do. Empty your language of the things you cannot do, are not able to do, or would not be allowed to do. If you are going to put your energy into living life successfully, it is better to focus on what truly matters. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived agrees: “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you” (Proverbs 4:25, NIV). If the heart represents the core of human desire, the eyes determine the direction and focus by which we pursue those desires. The Bible writer r appeals to us to keep our eyes on the path and not on the distractions that surround us. So Focus on what you can do and not on what you can’t.