"Your Focus Determines Your Reality"

Say what you what you will about the Star Wars prequels (aka Episodes I, II, and III), because it's probably already been said—Jar Jar Binks jokes and all of that. One of the few good things about them, hopefully one that most Star Wars nerds can agree on, however, was Liam Neeson's role as Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn in The Phantom Menace.

In one of the few poignant moments of Episode I, Qui-Gon counsels young Anakin Skywalker by giving him this sage advice: "Your focus determines your reality."

Isn't it interesting how this statement applies in our own lives? The question that follows, in my mind, then, is: What is your focus on?

Yes, I ended that last sentence with a preposition; but that's not the point.

What are you focused on? And further: Is it possible to focus on things that are inconsequential, unnecessary, or even false and to then, therefore, make them your "reality"?

The answer is: "Yes."

*Sound of me stepping up onto my soapbox

Take the situation, for example, that has enfolded over the past several months in the town of Ferguson, Missouri. I don't want to go too much into detail because, well, it's a situation that has captured the entire nation's attention. We've all heard different versions of the story. At the same time, there are some very strong feelings about what happened and who was or wasn't charged for murder in the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.

I recently watched a group of pundits discuss this issue and heard them analyze the claim by some that Brown made a "Hands up, don't shoot!" gesture before being fatally shot. Members of the St. Louis Rams football team made this gesture on the football field in an NFL game. It has been referenced in a number of other situations, as well. Sadly, there seems to be a ridiculous idea being promoted by some that police officers are bigoted, vile racists, randomly gunning down minorities because they carry guns and because they can get away with it.

Well, here's the problem with the "Hands up, don't shoot!" claim: It's patently, totally false.

The evidence presented to prosecutors and to the grand jury overwhelmingly showed that there were powder burns on Brown's arms and injuries to the police officer, proving that Brown was reaching for the police officer's gun when it went off and that he (Brown) was the aggressor. The officer clearly acted in self-defense. Multiple witnesses support this story, which was dishonestly and purposefully distorted by the some of the media and others with evils and designs in their hearts.

No matter how you look at it, it's tragic. An 18-year-old young man, with his entire life ahead of him, lost his life. Even so, a bigger tragedy would have been unfairly convicting a police officer who was simply doing his job and was acting in self-defense. Brown’s poor choices, including using drugs, robbing a convenience store, and attacking a police officer, led to his death.

I don't want to dwell on it any more than has already been done, because I'm honestly tired of the issue being dragged out on the news each night. Suffice me to say, once again, that "your focus determines your reality." In other words, what you choose to believe—whether or not it's based in reality or on the facts or even common sense—then becomes your reality.

*Sound of me getting back down from my soapbox*

One of the most important scriptures for our time, I believe, is found in the New Testament:

"For in those days there shall also arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch, that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant."
 -Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:22

Focus on the truth. Determine your reality by building your reality around the truth. Believe whatever you wish to believe, but don't be deceived by false prophets and by lies, because they come in many forms: the media, politicians, rationalization, relativism, political correctness, apathy, and gossip.

The truth will set you free.