The Law of Distraction

When I was a kid, my eldest brother and I would stay up all night watching scary movies. Our parents would conk out about 10 pm. Memories flooded back today as I was trying desperately to get inspiration for writing. Lot of projects but not much inspiration, besides the sun was out and it was 60 degrees. So what do you do, you watch movies, right? I found an old movie with Vincent Price called The House On a Haunted Hill. It was one of his best. Even though it was in black and white, the actors were heroes from my past movie and popcorn days.

Every Saturday my mom would give me a quarter to go to the matinee. Sometimes the manager would let me and my girlfriend in so we could get some candy or popcorn. In addition, there were the days that my mom would pick me up after school and we would go get something to eat at McDonalds or Hotspot, then we would go to a movie. So there wasn't much time for homework or the stuff most kids were supposed to be doing. I loved it because on movie days with mom, I didn't have to get my chores done. My point?

I was taught from childhood how to become distracted from the important things. It wasn't just a now and then. You could actually make a schedule of when we would be at the movies. The theaters changed every week, and with three theaters using a rotating system you could literally be at the movies most of the week.

As an adult I learned that movies were a wonderful way to spend time either renting them or going to the theater. I think you're getting my very personal, Law of Distraction. This is what the enemy of God uses to keep us focused on things that really matter. John C. Maxwell teaches great lessons on the Law of Attraction.. Planning for success by thoughtful consideration of what it will take to be successful. We learn in the Bible that a person will count the cost before starting a project to make sure everything necessary is ready. Then making a working plan, and like attracts like.

Then there is the counterfeit and deceitful Law of Distraction. The definition for distraction is: 1) The act of distracting; a drawing apart, separation 2) Confusion from a multiplicity of objects crowding on the mind and calling the attention different ways; as, the family was in a state of distraction.

The habits that were instituted in our home were always centered around distraction not excellence. They were self-pleasing not God-centered. Everyone, except my dad sat in church every week but we didn't get the message of attraction to God or his awesome Kingdom. Success can never find its place if there are not rules and habits that are progressive toward excellence.

The devil comes to kill, rob, and destroy and one of the first places of attack is our mind and attention. If we can be persuaded to change our focus, the enemy of God, can keep us from ever attaining the things that God,

We can make excuses as to why we can't concentrate, but it really comes down to habits. If concentration and focus is difficult try fifteen minutes of reading the Bible or a good encouraging book every day. Get in the habit of reading and meditating on a devotional that is uplifting, helping to change character into godliness.

What are the things that keep you distracted? A friend and I went on a fast several years ago, giving up meat and television. No, there was nothing in common with it (smile). But they were two things that we  truly enjoyed. The television never came back into our homes, movies are almost totally gone from our lives, and meat is not something that is craved. It's also important not to replace the distractions with other things that are just as distracting.

Be encouraged to challenge yourself this week or even the next couple of weeks, to keep a list of things you feel to get done in a day, then mark the times you are distracted away from your goals. We found that one of the first distractions recently were cell phones and a Blackberry. Do you Twitter or find other things that distract you without getting your goals met? I would be really interested in hearing what some of the distractions you have.

Remember distraction is just procrastination with a focus.

Love and hugs,
Make a difference to somebody this week!