Reading a great book right now: RAPT by Winifred Gallagher—which looks at the nature of focus. I’m interested in this subject as a writer who can get easily distracted; as a mother who wants to instill in my daughter a healthy concentration; and as a lover of all things ‘health’ related—how does one develop a healthy mind? How do I strengthen my focus?

RAPT explores some of these questions, highlighting many of the things we value at EnableYourHealth and strive to do (stay positive, meditate). See our article on health habits for a more thorough list!

It is Gallagher’s exploration of meditation that particularly strikes me. Her interactions with researchers are really helpful. I’ve known that meditation is a good thing, but I didn’t realize the extent of its benefits—for improved memory, for an expanded worldview, for children struggling with ADHD even.

Not to mention, it’s always good to read things in a different context, especially when it affirms things you already believe! RAPT explores meditation from a psychological/therapeutic perspective, affirming how it is not only enormously healing, but very practical. It’s not an airy-fairy things just for spiritual gurus. It’s a practical discipline we could all benefit from. The simple practice of continually bringing your mind back to focus on one thing is immensely beneficial. (And by the way, you’re not just doing it badly—that is the practice.) It even stands to make us smarter! And one researcher recounts that it need not be done on mat…in a seated position…etc. Just sitting quietly on a park bench and focusing on the sounds of the birds can be your meditation.

What are your thoughts on focus, meditation? Easy? Hard?

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