A 3-Minute Reminder About The Little Things We Take For Granted

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Filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg's life is all about focus. In each image and time-lapse he captures, there's an incredible amount of activity going on, but our eyes tend to hone in on one particular aspect. This is no accident.

"There's a large range of possibilities regarding what f-stop, lens and distance I choose. But I can only pick one combination," Schwartzberg says. "Focus allows me to direct the eye to move within an image to tell a story."

As he explains in a visually stunning three-minute piece from his "Gratitude Revealed" series, this process of selection obscures everything else that is a distraction. Schwartzberg may operate in the filmmaking world, but the idea of applying focus extends far beyond the confines of any lens.

Our life's journey is about making choices and focusing on what it important. Like the little things in life we often take for granted.
Louie Schwartzberg, filmmaker

"[Having] too many choices creates anxiety. You question yourself about making the right decision -- which takes you out of the present moment," Schwartzberg says. "Our life's journey is about making choices and focusing on what it important. Like the little things in life we often take for granted."

When you do take the time to focus, he adds, something profound happens.

"Focusing on what you do have leaves little room in your heart for dwelling on what you don't have. This fuels the feeling of joy inside yourself, and triggers another good feeling that broadens your perspective and brings the focus back to tuning into gratitude," Schwartzberg says.

Anyone, anywhere can use this approach; it can begin with something as simple as focusing on one beautiful item you see when you wake up.

"Start your day by looking at a flower to align yourself with beauty, harmony and positive energy," Schwartzberg suggests. "If you find your path, you'll never lose your way."







 Gratitude Revealed is filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg's series of 16 film shorts that explores what gratitude is, produced by his studio, Moving Art. Utilizing a diverse array of styles, approaches and his 30-plus-year archive, Schwartzberg's films show why gratitude is important and what we can all do to live more gracious lives.


More from "Gratitude Revealed" on Oprah.com:

2 important things you need to unlock your full potential

What happens the moment you truly forgive

They dance on cliffs, yet they don't feel fear
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