A quick search of Wikipedia tells us that "Hocus Pocus" can mean "Contrived Nonsense." Years ago a magician would call out the words to deflect attention, as he amazed the crowd with his sleight-of-hand. He knew of course, that if the crowd's attention was not focused on his actions, his "magic" would go undetected.

Our politicians have honed this technique to a fine art, as they routinely jostle our attention from one issue to another. They know that it is difficult for us to maintain focus when the issues keep shifting, with each evening's newscast. Who has the courage to tell it like much of it is, contrived nonsense?

Stories of the magic of focus have been told for millennia. It is said that Archimedes made a wonderful mirror, which focused the suns rays on an attacking Roman fleet. The beam of light was so intense, the ships burst into flames and the Greeks were spared an invasion.

My own children discovered one day, how the benign summer sun could be focused with a magnifying glass, making the rays strong enough to start a fire. Only my prompt action that day averted disaster.

Today, while on my morning walk, I saw a magnificent Bald Eagle glide by. Suddenly he turned, extended his talons and dropped unto the lake. With his eagle eye, he had spotted a fish swimming near the surface and focusing intently, he picked up his breakfast with what seemed to be remarkable ease.

Many of us have had the experience of setting goals at the New Year. Then, when the year is almost gone, we may find a file long forgotten, somewhere in our computer, listing the unaccomplished goals. We may then tell ourselves, "Hey, I really wanted to accomplish these." Now with the renewed power of focus, a goal that was really just a vague wish becomes doable and quickly gets done.

These random thoughts on the power of focus helps to remind me that focus is a tool that I can use constructively in many areas of my life. A focus on the present moment will pull me back from re-living the past or creating phantom fears of what may come. So today, resolve with me to put aside the hocus pocus. Now, as it has always been, the true magic is in the power of focus.

To your prosperity.

KM