If evolution has attempted to teach humanity anything, it’s that distraction kills. Our ancestors lived in a world that literally wanted to eat them for dinner. For them, the price of not paying attention would have likely meant becoming a Happy Meal for a lion or maybe a bear. They could have never afforded to entertain the levels of distraction that we do today.
Just imagine the absurdity of this scene:
It is a few thousand years ago, give or take a century or two. You just happen to be hanging out on the Serengeti and you see one of your neighbors stroll by. You notice something peculiar. Your friend is listening to music on strange discs that cover his ears. In his hands he’s holding an even stranger tablet-thingy. But it’s not made out of stone. It has been formed from a material you’ve never seen before. What’s even more shocking is that he’s walking head down, staring at the tablet and tapping its surface with his thumbs. He’s not paying any attention to his surroundings! His attention doesn’t seem to extend past his new accoutrements. He makes it about fifty feet into a beautiful grassy meadow before a pack of hyenas invite him over for brunch.
This scene is absurd not only because our primitive friend is sporting the latest in twenty-first century gear but also because such a person would have never relinquished his focus, his attention. To do so would have been suicidal in the extreme.
Our ancestors had a deep connection to the world around them. It was a spiritual bond that bridged them to nature. This bridge was a place of silence, free from the unnecessary noise and background static we live with constantly today. In fact, our ancestors not only appreciated silence but depended upon it.
There is power in the silence that comes from paying attention. It is forged from focus. It’s found in moments of clarity, meditation and creative bursts of inspiration. None of which are possible if we are distracted.
In today’s world we seem to be attracted to distraction. The very thought of silence—true silence—is so foreign to us that we actually find it uncomfortable.
As such we fill our time with as many distractions as we can: addictive behaviors, excessive food and drink, television, iPads, Facebook and Twitter.
Now in themselves, and in moderation, there may be nothing distractive at all about the above activities. But are these things serving to connect you to who you really are? And are they helping you to remember that you are a spiritual being with a secret longing to reconnect? Or are these activities causing you to forget?
For example, if you go for a walk—go for a walk. Appreciate it fully. Stay with that activity completely. Allow all your senses to be actively engaged. If you stay connected to the activity—the moment, you will feel enriched and fulfilled. The same applies for anything you are doing. Stay fully and completely in the present moment.
When we approach life in a focused way, a non-distracted way, we enter a sense ofbeing instead of just doing. Fostering a sense of being will enrich you more than any distraction ever could. And yet, this society is far too concerned about doing; so much so that we have to multitask to get everything done. But in the process, we actually accomplish nothing at all. At least, nothing worthwhile. I believe this is one of the main reasons for unhappiness.
So how can you tell if you are distracted? Try this…
Find a quiet room in your house. Go in and close the door. Stay there for one full hour. Challenge yourself.
Here are a few rules to follow, however:
1) You must be alone.
2) Bring no distractions. Nothing to read, eat or drink. No music, no TV. Nothing but you and your thoughts.
3) You cannot sleep.
Now some of you won’t even try the above challenge. Some of you will try but be unable to complete the full hour. And some of you will complete the full hour, but it will be uncomfortable.
If you have problems with the challenge, it’s okay. We are all distracted to some level. The first step is to be aware and mindful of your distractions and how they may be affecting your happiness and over-all spiritual well-being. Simply decide which distractions are worth the price. Then slowly start to limit some of them.
If you can’t be alone with yourself (comfortably) for an hour, there’s a pretty good chance that you are far too attracted to distraction. Now, I’m not suggesting that you pull a “Richard Proenneke“, pack up and move into the wilderness all by yourself. (Although the thought does have some appeal). But it may be helpful for you to do more activities that will connect you to your spiritual self.
Go for mindful walks in nature, paint, write, bake an apple pie, create, meditate, watch an inspiring movie, listen to music. But whatever you do, do it fully. Give that thing your absolute and undivided attention.
Our ancestors paid for inattentiveness with their lives. Is your spiritual well-being any less important?
Thanks for visiting. I’d love to hear if how you did with the distraction challenge. Leave me a comment on my blog or on Facebook.
Happiness,
Troy