As I drove home from my office at the University of Colorado at Boulder earlier this week, I witnessed notable cases of distraction. Walking to my car, I observed a skateboarder coasting down the middle of a one-way street, headphones in, speeding so fast and taking little notice of potential dangers, including the car that was turning onto the street of the skateboarder but luckily saw him. Then, as I waited for a green light at an intersection, I heard honking in the left-turn lane next to me because the front-most driver was digging for something in the passenger seat. At another red light, I noticed a twenty-something driver holding his phone out above his steering wheel, texting and making a left turn. In so many cars around me, people were talking on cell phones. What is happening to us? I couldn’t help but ponder.
We’re human. We live in a multitasking, highly technological age. And I’m not saying all distraction is bad. But I do see significant struggle in our increasing lack of focus: I see many of my students not hearing all of the announcements I make and now need a syllabus policy about keeping cell phones stowed and not texting, I witness some of my reiki clients especially finding it difficult to quiet their minds and relax right away, and I can’t remember the last time I was with a group of people without at least one or more not being able to put away their phones to text or tweet.
Seeing these acts of distraction in such frequency while driving home recently, though, made me consider distraction on a larger level. My main job as a writing instructor at the college level, on which I place significant focus, does not suffer from distraction… but my passions–my writing, reading, crafting, among other interests–experience way too much neglect. I confess: I’m not doing enough of the things that lift me, fulfill me and help my soul live, and I’ve let an intense job be a distraction for too long. Time to balance even more than I have. Whatever distracts us from the task at hand is a choice, just as we choose the present task. I finally chose to start my blog–and refused distraction. Done.
Erika,
Congratulations! Your blog is beautiful. I wish you lots of luck as you move in this direction.
Love,
Ginger
Thanks, Ginger! And congratulations for being the very first to post a comment on my blog. Yes, this is certainly a new direction, and I’m pretty excited. Love, Erika
Erika,
I could go on and on about people and their distractions, but what’s the point? I’m responsible for my lack of distraction. Glad to know I have company in this pursuit. I look forward to learning how to perfect it through you.
Always good seeing you and H.
Yours, Klare
Klare,
Always great seeing you and your furry children/associates, as well. 🙂 I’m not sure we have to perfect our handling of distraction as much as choosing our distraction and prioritizing the right things. 🙂 Hmm… one to think on for sure.
Take care,
Erika
This is the first time Iv’e repsonded to a Blog.. no more distractions or excuses. This is great E., Yes, I am easily distracted ’cause ther are things I don’t really want to do so I allow myself to be distracted or can one say go into procrastination mode via distraction?
Alannah,
Thank you for responding on my blog. Yes, I think we can “go into procrastination mode via distraction.” Certainly. 🙂 I think it’s important to remember that we get to choose.
Love,
Erika
Erika,
I am so happy that you are taking time to do something for yourself and that makes you happy. You work too hard!
Distraction is all around us. It is interesting to think about what each individual person thinks of as a distraction. I am siting at mine right now. The computer is keeping me from my laundry. 🙂
Be well.
Hello, dear Carrie.
Thanks for your support, as always. Yes, this blog already feels like a great idea, and it’s making me happy so far. 🙂
You make a great point: “It is interesting to think about what each individual person thinks of as a distraction.” We could throw out the question, “So, what’s your distraction?” Ha. 🙂 Overriding those answers, though, for me are what we consider our priorities.
Talk soon!
Love,
Erika
Erika,
This is great! I like your blog and love your writtings…you’re on to something.
Wishing you great success and happiness.
k
Ken, *thank you*. I appreciate the well wishes and am glad you dig the blog so far. ~E