Distraction

The New Oxford American Dictionary defines Distraction as “a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else”.  And, far more interestingly, as “extreme agitation of the mind or emotions.”

Shiny objects, squirrels, random thoughts – you name it – that’s my distraction.  It feels like this holiday season has been especially distracting.  So many things to do, to plan, to make.  The list goes on and on.  The funny thing is that the thought that begins the list quickly moves to a thousand others.  In yoga, this is known as “monkey mind.”  How apt is that?  So much of the time my mind feels like a very agile and very hungry monkey, rapidly moving from tree to tree in search of food and play.

This time of year has always been an emotionally taxing one.  Filled with doing, doing, doing.  Distraction much? This year feels very different though.  Though my mind craves the doing, my spirit literally could not care less about doing one more thing.  Things are happening very slowly when they do happen at all.  Mostly, due to distraction.  Here’s an example – initial thought, great idea for a blog post today!  Oh, where is the computer?  Let me just throw this away.  Wow, that counter is dirty I should wipe it down.  Where is the cleaner?  Might as well get a couple more rolls of paper towels from the basement.  This basement is a mess – oh wait – that’s where those batteries are.  The smoke detector batteries need to be changed.  I’ll take these upstairs and get that done today.  What did I come down here for? Right – paper towels.  We’re almost out of toilet paper.  What else did we need from Costco?  Laundry soap.  What did I do with those batteries?  Shoot – forgot to bring up paper towels.  The dishes in the dishwasher need to be put away.  Where is the lid for this container?  This cabinet needs to be organized.  An apple with almond butter sounds so good right now.  We’re out of almond butter.  Getting some almonds in the oven to roast.  Back to the basement for the food processor.  The dog keeps following me up and down the stairs.  She is totally going to trip me one of these days.  She really needs to be brushed.  The brush is right there.  It will only take a couple minutes.  And on.  And on.  And on. Don’t even get me started about social media and apps on the phone.  The result?  You guessed it – the blog post doesn’t get written and though many things on the list are started, very few are completed.

All of this has prompted a lot of curiosity about what is happening in my inner world.  My mind is spinning but my spirit is calling for hibernation.  So, who is really in charge?  What do I really need right now?  Inner wisdom says rest.  It says that there is a shift from my value coming from doing to my value coming from just being.  It says stop looking for more and be grateful for what is.  It says take time to enjoy the doing and if the doing is not enjoyable then don’t do it.  Give yourself permission to hibernate, to be perfectly imperfect, to be messy and slow.  Allow the complex to unwind into blissful simplicity.  Unravel and marvel at what is at the core.  Love yourself more.  Feel into feelings without judgment.  Enjoy the lights on the undecorated Christmas tree.  Savor every last bite of that Pink Lady apple with fresh almond butter.  When I follow this wisdom, the mind slows and the spirit rejoices.

Love and blessings for a peaceful, slow, and enjoyable holiday season.