Have you ever used a magnifying glass to start a fire?
Why does that work? The lens on a magnifying glass is convex, meaning it is wider in the middle than on the edges. That way when the sunlight hits it, it bends the light in toward the center as it passes through to the other side. If you can adjust the distance and angle just right, you can get a pinpoint of sunlight on a spot and create enough heat to cause it to ignite.
In life, focusing your attention in this way is also a valuable skill. It’s really a necessity. Think of how much time you can save in your day if you focus on a problem and get it done right away? There’s a saying that if you want something done, give it to a busy person. That’s because they have been forced to manage their time and focus on what needs done without getting distracted.
Discuss: When was a time that you really had to focus?
Discuss: What are some common distractions you face when you try to focus on something important?
Discuss: What can you do to eliminate distractions and focus on the problem at hand to get it done quickly and efficiently?
