I decided last Sunday that the next post would be on distraction. Very appropriate. See, I’ve been distracted. Didn’t get around to writing until Friday, even though I thought about it every morning this week. Guess I was distracted.
Between business and vacation, I’ve been on the road part or all of every week beginning the last week of April. I may still have five weeks to go before I spend an entire week at home. This week, I flew to Los Angeles Sunday afternoon. Checked into the hotel, caught up on email correspondence and went to bed. Monday morning I thought about the post, but got distracted by news feeds, email and the many things I had to do for work. All that cut my morning workout down to less than half and hour and I was off for breakfast and a day in meetings and interviews at the conference. After the conference was dinner. Back to bed at midnight. Up at 5 am, but again distracted by many things–correspondence, proofing (I’m an editor), sending cover ideas to the art director, work out. Thought about the post, but — distracted.
After a full day of interviews and sessions on Tuesday, dinner with my nephew who had moved to LA a few years ago. Back to my room at 10. Up early, interview for an article at 7, then check out and begin a day of driving–down to Brea for a meeting, then Temecula, then San Diego for dinner with a friend. In the room at 10 only to get up at 3:45 am to catch the shuttle and a 6:45 flight home.
It only takes 20-30 minutes of focus to write a post. But focus is the key. I’d stare at the email client. Then my news reader (I never watch TV news and seldom a newspaper–my news intake consists of “feeds” or selected news sites pushed into my reader). I’d stare at my Bible, think about getting on the Web page, but then — distraction.
I’m an observer–too many years of refereeing soccer, I guess. I noticed something Sunday that I’ve often observed at church. Perhaps you’ve noticed it, too. You should be focused on the service, the speakers, the singers, God. But you’re distracted by odd thoughts. Something happened last night you need to share. Somebody dropped something on the stage. Someone misspoke–and you’ve got to notice that and giggle rather than maintaining focus on important things. Perhaps it’s someone’s dress, or hair, or mis-applied makeup. Someone marked all over the hymnal. Whatever–you’re distracted. And then you actively distract others.
I’ve written on focus and attention before. They are complementary. Where you choose to place your attention is crucial to what you will think about. Then you apply your focus. It’s not always easy. Sometimes you drift. But then you must gently correct your course back to the object of your attention.
Oh, yes, I was still focused. The speakers talked about staying close to the vine (see John 15). Practical advice. It’s best to live tapped into the source of true life.
Faith Venture 
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