On the Power of Distraction ⋆ A Delightful Glow

Dust lays around my living room, but perhaps the beauty of blooms will distract from it.

Fruitflies have managed to find their way indoors. The frantic buzz frustrates me. I find the leather swatter. I can’t abide flies in my house or my Yukon. They are one of life’s trials and annoyances. Even the audiobook in my ears can’t distract me.

Our drought-stricken prairie has begun to receive rain. Four inches this week. We’re grateful, so grateful. But the farming life forever carries friction. Wheat, albeit an exhausted crop this year, awaits harvesting. Rain feeds our soybeans, but halts our harvest. I tell the farmer this week I’m weary of the weight of weather. It feels we can never enjoy it for what it is, the here, the now, today. It constantly carries the what-ifs and the threats and the waiting. Always the decisions about when and how and what will-the-weather-do. The beautiful blue canvas stretched with puffy clouds doesn’t wholly distract from it.

I pick up my phone to text my mom. I’m distracted by the notification bubbles on the screen.

I’ve been going to pick up I Capture the Castle all day and read a bit. But one thing and another calls for my attention. Much as when you give a mouse a cookie, I distractedly traverse from one task to another.

The dryer hums. The house is peaceful. Cool air pours through the vents and most of our clutter resides in proper places. It’s a once-in-every-three-months occurrence. Guitar chords come from the basement and out in the Secret Garden my daughter places chairs and stepping stones. I step out to feed our orphan kittens; toss the red and yellow ball to distract Theodore.

The mandevilla blooms and sways in the cone wood woven hanging basket. The grass waves green and will soon need the mower again. A few weeds poke up along the edge of the cement wall. How do they manage to thrive in the obscure space? Hydrangeas bloom; white vinyl fence their backdrop. The bright green of sweet potato vines bobs an invitation. But my distracted gaze settles on the displaced mulch and disheveled porch furniture.

Despite dust and weeds, insects and decisions, despite all that distracts and detracts, perhaps this is the secret.

Deliberate gratitude.
Basking in beauty.
Stopping to savor what is.
A soul soak of splendor.
A mindset of intention.

Distraction will steadily and stealthily steal my life away.

I miss the moments presented right now.
And one day, looking back over my shoulder, the realization will dawn.
In distraction’s tug at me, I’ve missed the very gift of life that was in front of me all along.