I know I've said this before, probably on more than one occasion, but I don't think it can be overstated. In fact I think a daily reminder about this would not go astray.
So what am I harping on about you ask? Distractions. The sheer abundance of them, their dark, insidious nature and their detrimental and often dire consequences to one's spiritual and emotional wellbeing.
And whilst I'm no more immune to them than the next person, I guess I am fortunate enough to recognise them for what they really are: I have pulled away the proverbial wool from my eyes and in doing so I have caught these artful prancers in their underwear, fully exposing their true nature. The most lucrative industries are built solely upon them and on the certainty that we will happily and obliviously consume/by into them.
Try this: think about all the things you have done today that were really necessary. Think about the things you have done that have actually made a difference either in your life or in the life of someone else. Think about the things that have benefited your mind, developed and nurtured you in some meaningful way.
Now think about all the things you have done that have been quite redundant or unnecessary. Things that have not added anything to your life or the life of someone else. Think about the things you have watched, heard, done, consumed, that have not benefited your mind or developed or nurtured you in any meaningful way.
Chances are, the second list will outweigh the first. Whether it be breakfast radio, window shopping or listening to the top 40 countdown, you won't have really gained very much but you will have lost a lot of precious irretrievable time that could have been better spent bettering your life or the life of someone else.
And it never ceases to amaze me just how over-saturated the distractions market has become. It is almost impossible to avoid it no matter how hard we try. It feeds on our weaknesses and vulnerabilities, and grows from our inability to resist the temptation of the easy way. Because, let's face it, it is easier to veg out in front of a TV screen than it is to read a book about God. Its more fun listening to music than it is to be volunteering at a homeless shelter. And Lord knows its far less stressful having the children play computer games than it is to teach them good manners.
So you'll forgive me when I admit that I am guilty of falling into the traps of distractions. But I do resent them and curse their very existence almost daily. I do actively try to limit my consumption but its doubly hard to limit that of my children, especially as they get older and are increasingly influenced by their peers and the external environment.
Nevertheless, I will continue my plight. And pray that this little post will have somehow helped illuminate someone else's perceptions on the matter.
So what am I harping on about you ask? Distractions. The sheer abundance of them, their dark, insidious nature and their detrimental and often dire consequences to one's spiritual and emotional wellbeing.
And whilst I'm no more immune to them than the next person, I guess I am fortunate enough to recognise them for what they really are: I have pulled away the proverbial wool from my eyes and in doing so I have caught these artful prancers in their underwear, fully exposing their true nature. The most lucrative industries are built solely upon them and on the certainty that we will happily and obliviously consume/by into them.
Try this: think about all the things you have done today that were really necessary. Think about the things you have done that have actually made a difference either in your life or in the life of someone else. Think about the things that have benefited your mind, developed and nurtured you in some meaningful way.
Now think about all the things you have done that have been quite redundant or unnecessary. Things that have not added anything to your life or the life of someone else. Think about the things you have watched, heard, done, consumed, that have not benefited your mind or developed or nurtured you in any meaningful way.
Chances are, the second list will outweigh the first. Whether it be breakfast radio, window shopping or listening to the top 40 countdown, you won't have really gained very much but you will have lost a lot of precious irretrievable time that could have been better spent bettering your life or the life of someone else.
And it never ceases to amaze me just how over-saturated the distractions market has become. It is almost impossible to avoid it no matter how hard we try. It feeds on our weaknesses and vulnerabilities, and grows from our inability to resist the temptation of the easy way. Because, let's face it, it is easier to veg out in front of a TV screen than it is to read a book about God. Its more fun listening to music than it is to be volunteering at a homeless shelter. And Lord knows its far less stressful having the children play computer games than it is to teach them good manners.
So you'll forgive me when I admit that I am guilty of falling into the traps of distractions. But I do resent them and curse their very existence almost daily. I do actively try to limit my consumption but its doubly hard to limit that of my children, especially as they get older and are increasingly influenced by their peers and the external environment.
Nevertheless, I will continue my plight. And pray that this little post will have somehow helped illuminate someone else's perceptions on the matter.
