I have been having this debate with myself on when distraction is a good thing or a problem and a hindrance to moving forward. Does it cause me not to pay attention to my Self, my surroundings or people around me? And how do I know if “distraction” is meant to be and is part of my soul’s journey or is causing me to get lost.

Sometimes a little distraction is a good thing. It helps get you in a different frame of mind and can provide an escape—and maybe connect you to a discovery.  Sometimes distraction intersects with procrastination—where those little things that catch your attention become “big” things that side track you from getting the task at hand done. Sometimes distractions are side trips where you physically or mentally get to go to new places, see new things and meet new people.

It’s like searching on the Web. I start a search to find something or learn something—but before I know it I’m on this journey through information, ideas, words, pictures and sounds. And when I resurface I realize that the journey has sparked new ideas, made me re-think a concept or unearthed new connections—and I have learned something about myself. I have grown and become a better me.  But sometimes it can become noise as I go down nooks and crannies of the Net, get overwhelmed with information or get frustrated with not finding what I’m looking for—but somehow still drawn into this maze. So, distraction—bad or good?

I think distraction is multi-purpose. It can help us or hinder us. It can keep us from the bad and the good.  The key is how you relate to distraction. When you think in terms of distraction and look outward and have a negative reaction to external conditions, this can lead to judgment or blame. However, if you think of distraction and look inward, reflect and learn, you grow and evolve.

Distraction will always be part of our lives—however small or large—but it’s how we react to it that makes the difference.  When our minds wander we sometimes discover new perspectives, ideas and concepts. These can be gateways to new thinking or creating—unblocking or opening up new channels and using our imagination to manifest. When you feel distracted, ask yourself what is the distraction really about? What are you distracting yourself from and why?

Sometimes you’ll find that it’s OK to have the distraction and it’s better to relax into the outcomes of your wanderings than to judge yourself or feel guilty.  You have the choice to direct your attention to positive distractions that help keep your mind away from negative thinking or circumstances and be in the moment of that distraction. Distraction can provide you the opportunity to have an outlet for the moment. And if you choose the right distraction, you may just find that you have learned something about yourself, found comfort or peace, reignited imagination and recharged. So when distraction enters your day, don’t let it be a rabbit hole. Let it be a looking glass!