Better Distractions...
How many times each day are you bombarded with the ding of an email coming in, the ping of a text message or the ring of a phone. Our lives have become a breeding ground for technological distractions. And unless we figure out how to tune these out or manage them, over time our nervous system begins to suffer.
One way to balance the distraction overload is by beginning to create your own distractions of peace and joy instead. In one of my favorite books for daily inspiration, Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hahn he shares that in his tradition, temple bells are used to remind one to come back to the present moment. When a bell rings everyone stops talking, thinking and for a moment returns to self and just enjoys breathing.
He goes on to explain how any sound can be used as a reminder to pause, breathe and enjoy the present moment. Or even non-sounds can be used, such as when you notice the rays of sunlight coming through a window. You simply need to choose your own positive distractions and use them to offer you a moment of peace and joy.
If some suggestions would be helpful to get you started, here's a few of my favorites:
- The sound of birds singing
- Sunrises and sunsets
- My first sip of tea or coffee
- The smell and feel of clean sheets
- The smell of fresh baked bread
- Blooming flowers
You don’t need to eliminate every distraction in your life to feel more peace. You simply need to become more intentional about what you allow to interrupt your day.
So today, perhaps you choose just one.
Pause.
Breathe.
Notice.
And let that small moment be enough.
Because a life filled with these tiny returns…
becomes a life that feels calm, grounded, and deeply lived.
In humble service, Julie
I create space for stillness in my day.
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