Overcoming Persistent Distractions
Have you ever found yourself persistently distracted by a thought or presence, instead of focusing on what truly matters? Recently, I experienced such a situation, embodied by an unexpected and noisy intruder—a large, dark fly that found its way into my home one bright Monday morning.
Eager to embrace my art-filled day, I opened the windows and doors early to invite fresh air into my house and studio. This routine, my morning ritual, usually sets the tone for productive creative hours ahead. But there it was, the fly, incessantly bouncing from wall to door, window to lamp—a persistent guest visibly disturbing my focus.
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Fighting the Focus-Thief
As I wrote my daily morning pages in my diary, I couldn't help but notice my thoughts drifting back to this fly with every attempt to concentrate. "Where did such a huge fly come from?" "I didn't even know flies could be this big!" "What if it touches the food in the kitchen?" "How can it fly with such a body?", the train of thoughts continued.
The fly, meanwhile, seemed quite busy exploring every corner of the house. My irritation grew. "I'll deal with it after my diary entry," I thought. But with each thud, my focus wavered further. Realizing I could no longer concentrate on my writing, I knew I had to remove the fly if I wanted a peaceful morning. Strategies to evict this intruder consumed precious moments—moments I usually dedicate to transforming my studio into a world of inspiration and color.
After several failed attempts, acknowledging the futility of my actions—given how the fly evaded capture despite its awkward flight—I resolved to retreat to my studio, closing the door behind me, hoping it would find its way out.
Once in the studio, absorbed in the tranquility of painting, I felt a sense of peace. But to my surprise, after only a few minutes, there it was again—the unmistakable sound of the fly darting against walls and lamps. "Oh dear, it's here too!" I thought.
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A Shift in Perspective
As irritation started creeping back, I paused and let out a laugh. "How can a mere fly irritate me so much?" I mused. "It's just a fly!" In that moment of realization, I understood that there will always be 'flies' in our lives: social media, emails, calls, news, and so on. The key is not to let these "flies" distract us from what is most important, like our passions, time with loved ones, or our dreams and plans.
That fly, bothersome as it was, symbolized every inconsequential distraction clamoring for attention at the expense of our deeper passions.
In life, distractions will always be there, seeking our attention. We can either let them consume us or steadfastly focus on our passions, trusting that the distractions will eventually find their way out.
Reflecting on this, I chose to immerse myself in my painting, allowing the fly to tire itself out. And it did after I stopped focusing on it.
What "flies" are buzzing around in your life, and how do you plan to refocus your attention on what truly matters?