A World of Distractions

Life is a series of distractions.

In our homes, distraction from our children, spouses, other family members…

At work, our boss, other employees, staff, customers, clients…

But that’s not the type of distractions I want to focus on right now.

Our world is always filled with distractions.

But right now, it has gotten so much worse.

In the past, we could vent our anger to others while at work, social outings, family gatherings and such.

But right now, more than ever, we have started to make social media our primary outlet.

For many of us, it’s all we have.

I have backed away from social media in the past few weeks because of this. 

We are living in an environment where we need to focus on something far more important…

Ourselves. Our mental health and well-being.

We are going at each other, and sometimes to no one in particular, regarding current events.

Wear a mask!
I will not wear a mask!

Black Live Matter
All Lives Matter
Blue Lives Matter

Open the Schools
Don’t Open the Schools
Partially Open the Schools

Instead of yelling at each other (OR TYPING IN ALL CAPS), just stop.

This will not change anyone’s mind. It is not helpful to you or them.

Instead….

We should live our lives in accord with the causes we believe in.

No need to attack those that disagree. Again, it does not help.

If you don’t want to wear a mask, please don’t go to businesses that require you to do this. It is their right to deny you entry just as much as you may (or may not) have the right to forgo a mask. This does not help you. Not at all. 

Let me be honest… it makes you looks childish.

And I say this as a person that has had more temper tantrums than most all of you reading this.

On the flip side, if someone is not wearing a mask, do not shame them. Do not start filming them and pick a fight. And for goodness sake, do not pepper spray them.

If they are supposed to be wearing a mask while in a business, contact the manager and have them deal with it. It’s not up to you to be the enforcer. You may not have the full story.

If someone calls you out for wearing a mask, just walk away. If you say anything, just wish them a good day, thank them for their input. Nothing more.

If someone argues with a post you have written, or makes/shares a post that is against your own beliefs, just let it go… don’t add fuel to the fire.

It’s not worth draining your spirit. All it will do is take a toll on you both.

The well-being of your spirit should have top priority. Always.

Our spirits are so broken. We need them to heal.

Again, yelling at someone, either in person or virtually will never sway their opinion. 

Your behavior is the only way to do this. Live you live as an example to others. And with dignity.

And remember…

Change almost never happens overnight.

Or in one encounter.

If you ever happen to find yourself in a moment when someone’s view has changed, it is most likely not just because of you. Yes, you may deserve some of the credit, but so may hundred’s of other people.

There were likely incidents in their past. Many, many incidents where then started to look at an issue from a different perspective. And their encounter with you was the last step in a very long journey.

I strongly believe in the sharing of well-researched information from qualified sources. But do this with love and compassion. Understanding that someone is in an entirely different moment of their journey than you may be, and you can’t possibly know where that point is.

In turn, they may be able to share something with you.

Listening with an open heart is so important. They may be trying to tell you something about themselves that you need to understand in order to know why they believe as they do.

If you are triggered by someone’s behavior, they may have triggered something that is part of your own story. Perhaps you behaved just as badly at one point on your life. And the reminder of this could set you off. It is your responsibility to examine these emotions and accept them.

I know that happens to me all the time. I have tried to learn to accept that and to be grateful that I have learned what lessons I needed to learn and have moved on to a new chapter.

Something that has helped me to clear my mind over that past few months, and to help me focus on what is important, is meditation.

I meditate every evening before I go to bed, for at least 25 minutes. I sleep far better than ever in my life, and sleep finds me quickly.

When I finish meditating, I take a moment and review the things I am grateful for. 

• My husband
• My best friend
• My fur babies
• All of my friends and family
• Finding my path again
• Everyone that has every crossed my path, both positively and negatively, because they have made me the person I am today, and I am finding that I kinda like me

Then I take a moment to say a prayer for those that have crossed my path, especially for those that may have caused me harm, and those that I may have harmed.

I pray that they are healing.

That whatever was broken in them is being renewed.

For those that have passed. I look forward to meeting them again and getting to know their true selves. Their healed spirits.

And finally, I say aloud the things in life I want to focus on.

• Joy
• Laughter
• Compassion
• Curiosity
• Love
• My Spirit
• and anything else that enters my mind

Please, take at least 10 minutes each day to focus on you. Your spirit. Your soul.

If you have to sit in a closet to do this, that works. The junk room in your house. The bathroom. 

Dim the lights and have a one-on-one with yourself.

Everyday.

I know this is easier said than done for some of you. But it is so important. 

Just 10 minutes.

Put down the phone… Facebook can wait….

10 minutes.

I want you to be happier. I want you to heal. I want us all to heal.