Distractions

Distraction. Procrastination. Call it what you will, it plagues my life. I can set daily goals and only complete two. I can start something and never finish it -- I went a week before looking at this entry. I won't even mention how many unfinished entries I have. You could probably argue that I have ADD, but I'm not about to take any meds for it. The thing is, I can't decide if distractions are a good thing or not.

It has its downfalls, I understand that: I have started attending a Hungarian Reformed church, Talipont, that meets in a pub (check-out the Ippel's for more about that: hopeinhungary.blogspot.com); in most cases, the pub is closed on Sunday, but this Sunday, they had an event before church. The event lingered throughout the service -- flashing lights, people walking in and out, a drunk man wanting to ask questions, a couple making out in the corner of the bar. Yes, I was easily distracted. It was hard for me to concentrate on the preaching; I had to close my eyes to focus. It's moments like that where distraction is bad. Another good example -- getting my updates out; I have one started for every month.

So how can it be a good thing? Some people might think I'm crazy for thinking of it the way I do, but I'll try to make my thoughts clear.

I'll start with the fact that I've named my blog desperate distractions. I started using that phrase for a series of emails during exam week that were meant to be that needed distraction after hours of focus. Distractions are there to keep people sane, to keep me sane.

Next, I think God speaks through distractions. My day has been brightened numerous times. When a bird's chirp hits my ear and I stop to find a small swallow making such boisterous music. Or when I stop on the way to and from school and watch the imaginations of little kids being reenacted on the playground. I've ahd thought provoking discussion when I've let a topic distract us from the lesson. I've shed a foul mood when I stopped grading to talk with friends that I haven't talked to in quite a while.

As you can see, I live in a world of distraction, be it good or bad. However, the negative view of distraction consumes my time. I easily fall to the temptation of information overload. My weak immune system falls prey to the bacteria of Facebook, BBC news, or the latest pop culture news (Mat Kearney, Shawn McDonald, Switchfoot, Augustana, and Lupe Fiasco are all releasing new albums this coming year; I think that proves my point) So please, bear with me as I work at altering the metaphor that currently resides with the distractions -- a disease. I'd rather my distractions build me up instead of tear me down. I'd rather have communication be my distraction instead of the current disease, and I hope that by admitting i things will start to change.

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Psalm 142

I cry aloud to the Lord;

I lift up my voice to the Lord for

mercy.

I pout out my complaint before him;

before him I tell my trouble.

When my spirit grows faint within me,

it is you who know my way.

In the path where I walk

men have hidden a snare for me.

Look to my right and see;

no one is concerned for me.

I have no refuge;

no one cares for my life.

I cry to you, O Lord;

I say, "You are my refuge,

my portion in the land of the living."

Listen to my cry,

for I am in desperate need;

rescue me from those who pursue me,

for they are too strong for me.

Set me free from my prison,

that I may praise your name.

Then the righteous will gather about me

because of your goodness to me.

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Szent Matthias Cathedral and the Reformed Church

Szechenyi Hid and Szent Istvan's Bascilica