Stream of Unconsciousness

I've realized, after much time in my own head- a scary place to be most of the time- that we as humans think way too much. Every little thing is a distraction; the thought one moment transcends into something completely different the next moment. Stream of consciousness.

My English teachers used to have us do this all of the time. Just write whatever pops into your head and see what happens - you find out a lot of interesting things.

Here it goes. It's midnight, I'm tired but can't sleep. There's too much food in my stomach and God knows if the soccer ball is going to make me throw up tomorrow afternoon. Oh but just don't eat tomorrow and you'll be fine. Ew. Anorexia... those girls think being THAT skinny is pretty? Haha... silly people. Well, silly people have their moments...

Okay, so I can go on forever, but this is probably boring you to tears right now. The point is that focusing on something, whether it be a thought or person or action is so important in the real world: we can leave the streams to paper.

Be present. If I am talking to you, I don't want to see your phone come out unless your mom is calling to find out where you are before she calls the fuzz to come find you. If I am in school working or studying, I should be completely focused on that subject, not letting my mind wander to other trivial things like that green banana the kid next to me is eating in weird ways.

One of my Sunday school kids asked if the devil can come into church, saying that we get distracted in church and that must come from the devil. But does it really? Does the devil make us turn on the radio or think about something less meaningful in the morning on the way to church? Or is it just human nature to have too many things going on at the same time?

We don't know how to focus, and it's usually unconsciously, but affects our conscious day-to-day actions and behavior.

So my challenge for you this week is to find one thing (just one!) to focus on and not be distracted from - whether it be school or spiritual upheaval, work or family - let that one thing or person encompass your mind and heart when it should, without being distracted from it. And then switch it up.

This is my stream... what's yours?