Distractions.

Hot Springs Arkansas. 

The romance capital of the world. Honestly, it’s the only place we were able to find an AirBNB . . . in our budget . . . with a pool. We booked if for my birthday. 

Relaxing by the pool, eating good food, laughing hysterically. It was a great trip for Megan and I. A good distraction from the regular day-to-day grind. No we didn’t visit the bathhouses. It was hot out and I’m built for winter. I even had to buy a new t-shirt to wear to lunch because mine was covered in sweat. Yikes. 

I’ve noticed lately that I have both good and bad distractions in my life. Let’s start with the bad . . .

Social Media. Whew, there’s nothing I love more than scrolling for hours. Disassociating. Listening to creators the algorithm throws my way. It keeps me from engaging in a real way and working on projects that matter. Or learning things that matter.

Work. Both at home and at my job. There are tasks upon tasks. I’m bent on accomplishing them all - even thought that’s not entirely possible. I’m chasing some version of “caught up” thinking I’ll magically arrive in a place where there are no more to-do’s. Such a place doesn’t exist. 

Entertainment. Wow do I love to be entertained. Netflix shows, movies, sports. I’m a consistent and reliable consumer. I’m still not apologizing for seeing The Odyssey though. 

All of these things fill my mind until there’s not much left for the important stuff. Sometimes Megan, Miller and Jude are fighting for scraps and I’m picked clean. Spent. Quiet time reading the Bible and praying is non-existent when I’m deep into a pit of negative distractions. 

Then there are the positive distractions. 

My weekend with Megan - even though were among Razorback fans - was a much-needed break from normal. We had a chance to reconnect and rest. It gave me energy for the busyness of the upcoming week. 

Second was going to the movies with my oldest friend, Tim. When we planned the outing, he asked what snacks I wanted him to smuggle in. I jokingly said “loose pickles because the jar would give you away”. I figured we just do popcorn per usual. But I glanced over to see him munching on a pickle he had pulled from a ziplock bag in his pocket. We tried to laugh quietly, but I’m sure we disturbed some theater goers. It felt like we were back at First Baptist Church passing notes and funny drawings. 

So what’s the point? 

Arkansas isn’t that bad. 

I’m a sweaty person.

Tim will do anything for a laugh. 

Good distractions create space for more positive things (bible reading/study, praying, being present with my family). 

Bad distractions never satisfy and only leave me needing more entertainment to fill the emptiness. The don’t have any restorative power. 

As a special needs parent - we sometimes need distractions. True for mom. Certainly true for dad. We need a break from the heaviness of “normal”. 

Learn from me. 

When it comes to distractions . . .

Choose the positive variety.