Refusing Distraction, Focusing on Me

This morning I realized I had succumbed to distraction because I had been sick with a virus and spent way too much time on the couch scrolling social media. My mind was focused outwardly. It was the great sucking sound of the troubled and fascinating and even enchanting happenings out in the world.

After pondering and praying on this, I came to the question: What is mine to focus on this day?

The question brought me to the need of paying attention to ME. I am my main responsibility, and clarifying my primary aim at this point and time in life is mine to do.

Now, this is not a selfish attitude. All my highest efforts start there, with listening to the still small voice inside that leads. With taking time and energy to commune within, where Jesus promised to meet me and to guide me.

From that point, I was brought back to my writing and all that is required to nurture myself as a writer. The trusting God with the present and the future and turning to the reading, the thinking, the writing, and writing again, and again, and backing up and writing again. The refusing of all that would distract me from this endeavor.

I came here and wrote this blog post, and my mind was cleared of the clutter of the world and focused back on what is mine to do.

The writer’s first job is to sanctify in-dwelling. By this I mean that a writer needs to say to herself, clearly, forcefully, and even out loud, “There is value in my being alone with my own brain.”
~ Eric Maisel, Living the Writer’s Life.

A friend reminded me today that we are each made in the image of God’s goodness. I pass that reminder on to you, dear good people.

The glass of cold tea image is because summer has come full-blown to south Alabama. It is a sauna outside and verdant green. Yesterday I reaped two homegrown tomatoes. Considering the cost of starter plants, grow-bags and potting soil and manure, those two tomatoes only cost me about $100. They were delicious.

Grace and peace,