Attention Deficit

How much time do you actually take to reflect?  Did you ever stop to think what exactly you are doing?  I think I can safely say that I actually don't stop, ever. I just push forward and continue to engage in life without every stepping back. I tend to keep running without looking back or lifting up my head to look farther forward.

On a Friday fellowship with my church, a striking observation was made.  We actually never stop.  When we go back to our dorms, homes, apartments, etc..., we start off by making dinner, turning on the television, or surfing the web.  The few studious ones actually start their homework or study for an upcoming midterm.  But the point is this: we don't slow down.  After a long day in school or at work, we just keep going without ceasing being busy.

Speculating on this, I feel as though this may be a direct consequence of being so wired with technology and trinkets that we never really find a time to be "bored."  The internet is a nonstop distraction, capable to draining hours and hours of time away from life.  Cell phones are a great way to constantly socialize about menial clothes and boy-girl dramas in life and television.

What makes this problem extreme is how we have integrated this into our lives.  We actually tend to have our cell phone on and texting while our computer is streaming a YouTube video while your favorite television show is in a commercial break all the while your homework is laid out in front of you in case you feel guilty enough to start it.  Some of us might be thinking that this scenario is impossible but I can assure you that you have at least tried to do at least two of these things simultaneously.

What consequence does this lead to?  A constant barrage of stimulus that becomes so familiar that, when it is absent, makes us feel unproductive and even insecure.  I'll admit that there are times when I sit down on my bed and do my weekly reflections that I feel guilty that I'm just not doing anything. I feel that the "weekly review" for myself is procrastination in practice.  Yet, deep down in a logical sense, it's almost like I have an attention deficit disorder.

Now for those who are Christian, when I talk about this "weekly review" I don't mean quiet times.  Quiet times are for God.  Weekly reviews are for me.  The reason why I make this distinction is that some people might think this "reflecting" thing is meant for some spiritual purpose.  I'm trying to make the argument that this is, in no way, spiritual.  I want to make this a mental check-up.

Here's a challenge.  Spend half an hour just sitting there.  Don't think about what you have to do next.  Turn OFF your cell phone (vibrate is not OFF).  Turn OFF your computer (sleep doesn't count).  Sit down on your bed, and just sit there.  Just sit.  Don't do anything.  Think retrospectively.  If you can pull this off on your first try, without cheating, good job, try an hour.  Oh, by the way, don't sleep, nap, rest your eyes, etc... that defeats the purpose, anyone can be still sleeping.