Distraction. Say it slowly twice. It doesn’t have a pleasing sound. Emphasize the “tract”. Now, say it again. It’s first meaning, “A thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something.” Dissssstttraccctttttiiiooonnnnn. I interviewed the word yesterday while doing the dishes…here’s a snipet of that interview:

Distraction, what do you think about how you sound?
I sound annoying.
That’s interesting because your meaning opens the door to letting annoying things happen.
It’s tough being Distraction.
How come?
ARE YOU SERIOUS? You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know why it’s tough being Distraction!!!!
Whoa, stop your yelling, no need to throw bubbles at me, I’m just an impartial reporter passing the time pretending to interview a word while I’m washing the dishes.
Ok, Ok, I’m sorry for my outburst, but get my meaning?
Yes, “A thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something.”
No, not that one, my second meaning, the one folks choose to ignore.
I’m sorry, I’m not sure of your other definition.
“A diversion or recreation.”
Really?
Yup. Don’t get bogged down by my first definition, I relish my second…in fact, it’s the secret of happiness.
I’m sorry, I don’t think I understand you correctly…you are telling me the secret of happiness – the secret everyone wants to know – comes down to you?
Yep, Distraction.
Distraction?
Yes.
Stop being a wise-word, you are telling me the secret to happiness is being in a state of distraction or being distracted leads to a state of happiness?
Yes.
Do you have proof?
You want proof?
Yes, I want proof.

Well, we’ll take you as proof.

How can I be your proof?

Hmmm, that’s easy, your last official blog was on September 28, 2006, what have you been doing?

The list is long.

Are you happy?
Yes.

More so than ever before?
Yes.

But you haven’t been blogging?

No, I haven’t blogged.

Because, may I guess, because you have been experiencing Distractions?

Well, I’ve been busy.

Busy being distracted? Kinda experiencing new diversions and recreations, perhaps?

(side note to reader: distraction has my number)

Yes! In fact, my life has become very diverse and full of new ways to enjoy recreation.

And you are happy?

Happier than I’ve ever been.

Well, there’s our proof. And there’s one more thing.

(side note to reader: at this point Distraction starts to sway to the left and right and I find myself mesmerized, I begin to sway along with Distraction and my eyes grow heavy and I feel particularly light headed and relaxed.)

Look into my i’s. I stare at the first and then the second i.

Now start at the D and look slowly to the right until you reach my N. Do that three times and tell me what you see. Better yet, grab a pen and paper and write down what you find.

I follow Distraction’s instructions and write the following list of words with my soapy hands:

Act.
Action.
Traction.

Now, say those words outloud, they sound lovely don’t they?

I agree, Act. Action. and Traction roll off the tongue with ease – they all have a very nice ring to them.

There’s more to me than meet’s my i’s.

I see that.

So, next time you don’t get to something or are starting a project and change your tune, or begin a new job and change your priorities, don’t be afraid of me…it’s ok to let Distraction into your life. I free you up really because I make you make choices that bring you greater clarity and in turn, greater periods of sustained happiness. I’m also nature’s greatest pain reliever…If you have a boo-boo start watching a comedy or take a walk. I can easily take your pain away….it’s a darn shame people don’t realize that I am a positive influence in their lives. Folks spend so much time giving me a bum rap, they say it’s my fault the bills are unpaid, or the dishes aren’t washed, please I cause people to do exactly what they want to do, it just takes some folks longer to figure this out.

I have to admit Distraction, I find some of this quite confusing. I was raised to believe that not focusing on something to it’s finality was, well, failure.

That’s tragic…my i’s are watering, that’s so sad.

(side note to reader: Distraction is making fun of me and I don’t appreciate it).

Listen chum.

You just called me chum.

Not the chopped fish definition, the “listen to me friend” definition.

Ok. I’m listening.

There’s a reason people get distracted from hobbies, books, jobs, and even relationships. You move on to the stuff that really matters. Distraction, I’m like a speed bump, I slow you down but then you gain momentum, you act, take action and get traction. It’s all there for you, you saw it in me, loud and clear, look at the paper.

I look at the back of the grocery receipt, water has stretched and smudged the words but I feel their power:

A
c
t.

A
c
t
i
o
n.

T
r
a
c
t
i
o
n.

This entry was posted on Sunday, February 11th, 2007 at 11:34 am and is filed under My Swirld. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.