The enemy within: distraction.

Distraction has become such an addiction for so many that it has become a major element of our culture. Every animal living in nature knows better than being distracted; for them surprise means death. Paying attention, for every animal is the only way to enjoy the gift of life.

But modern humans have strayed so far off this way of life they would rather have their distractions rather than actually live, like sugar addicts who would rather have their sugar than their health.

That distraction often means death is surprisingly irrelevant to these lost souls, and many make the final decision that they would rather die, or kill innocents, than stop texting when driving. Some would argue that they do not make this decision, but the truth is no one is twisting their arms.

Distraction is, like sugar in our diets, omnipresent. Most cars are offered with automatic transmission, so that drivers do not have to focus anymore on driving, the single most important thing to do when driving! Worse many parents will actually help their kids acquire this first car, and opt for automatic transmission, thus irrevocably inviting the kids to eschew focusing on driving, not to mention preventing them to ever become good drivers. Music systems and cup holders are also unfortunate invitations to have the drivers’ mind set on things other than driving… As if the roads were the safest place in the world.

Distraction is endemic to such a degree that even when presenting news, themselves a distraction, most networks would actually encumber the lower third of the screen with more distracting information, sometimes not even related to the main subject. As if by preventing everyone to actually be able to focus on what is being said, the idea is to maintain the minds is a constant state of inattention.

If we could see the minds of these distracted people as bodies; they would look like 300 to 400 pounders, unable to actually do anything effectively. Granted some are not that badly distracted, they would be just like 260 pounders… still no match for the athletic minds of those who live without distraction.

Limiting distraction, like avoiding sugar is an uphill battle, as our culture has been going toward both distraction and sugar addiction for a long time now. Much more so in fact, as maintaining motivation in matters of the mind is much more difficult than maintaining motivation for the body.  The big problem with distraction is that we are not aware that we are distracted.

The only solution is to develop the habit of focusing on what we are doing and striving to do it as well as we possibly can. Going back to driving stick shift will force the mind to actually focus on driving and possibly impel to get track training. Training is essential for any activity that requires performance; there is no excuse for skipping gun range training, much less cardio and physical training, and the same applies to driving.

In a confrontation between a morbidly obese person and an athlete all bets will always be on the athlete. In a confrontation between a distracted person and one paying attention the score is also obvious.

How distracted is your mind?