Focus On You | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

Focus On You

Sometimes you have to step back and look at your own life.

2010
Focus On You
Petra Dufkova

There is a lot going on in the world.

Britain decided to withdraw from the European Union after a vote by British citizens portrayed a belief that pulling away from the union would be the best course of action for the country. There are, of course, several opinions that counter this action, showing a concern for the country’s economy, international relationships, and other technological and scientific advances. Whether or not this was a good or bad decision, there is no way of knowing just yet. In reaction to this, Scotland is holding another vote to decide whether or not the country will remain in the UK, or stay with the European Union.

Soon after the votes were counted and the verdict announced, Prime Minister David Cameron announces his resignation.

In the semi-finals of the Copa Americana soccer competition, Argentina beat the USA team with a score of four to none, placing Argentina into the finals and officially dismissing the USA from the competition. This game caused heartbreak and frustration for fans of the USA team, and yet brought happiness and a feeling of success to those of Argentina. The game itself was exciting, and made a mark in the history of Argentina, as their team has lacked in energy and success in the past couple years. This win gave hope.

The effects of the shooting in Orlando is still present, as families and friends of victims continue to mourn and reflect on the incident. Despite calls for changed and reinforced gun laws, there is no assurance that any law will actually change, due to the belief that even the stricter gun laws could not stop any future attacks with a firearm.

The presidential campaign is still running strong, as the media is split between loving and hating candidate Donald Trump. As he continues to fight for his place as President, his words are continually being both praised and despised. The race carries on as the people of America watch.

The past couple days have been filled with various news stories and columns that have given facts and expressed opinions. These stories are important. We, as the audience and citizens on this country, follow these headlines throughout their timeframe and even up to weeks after the actually incident. Why? We worry, and we want to know more.

Our curiosity gives us a need to know even the smallest details, a factor of human behavior that media companies use to draw us in. Media is not a bad thing, as we have a right to know what is happening in this country as well as around the world, but when the world becomes more important than our own everyday lives, we start to focus on more than our priorities.

We live day to day, and maybe our everyday habits simply become boring and repetitive because we are comfortable with who we are and our simple lives. However, maybe it’s time to look at ourselves and wonder what we are not doing.

We can focus on what the world is going through and how our lives are affected by those nationwide changes or incidents. We can wake up every morning and immediately turn on the news or open a Facebook profile and then sit there for at least an hour looking through other lives aside from our own. We can turn to social media and see the details and facts of another person’s life. We can escape and find what we want through others and mindless living. That’s the belief.

I’m guilty of putting other things first before my life, simply because I didn’t have priorities. I’ve had days where I’ve spent more than enough time on my computer or phone, looking through a lifeless string of statuses, ideas, thoughts, pictures, videos, and other reflections of society. I’ve spent more time focusing on the lives of people as seen on social media, instead of doing something so small as making my bed or appreciating a day of good weather.

I think we should wake up with a smile every morning with the thought that today will be good. Today will be fun. Today will be different.

Put down the computer or phone and take a walk. Turn away from the television and clean something. Stop reading the news and read a book. Call family, hang out with friends. Go on a spontaneous adventure. Stop looking at others and become your own person.

It’s not always enough to say that we only live once, because words don’t assure action. In my own experience, I’ve learned that taking small and slow steps is a good way to start, but everyone has a different way of learning. We don’t have to ignore what’s going on in the world today, but we also can’t ignore what’s right in front of us.

You have a right to focus on yourself.

Find your priorities, and start from there.

Focus on you, that’s the best thing to do.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

189786
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

14638
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457630
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26508
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments