Distractions

[lhexa]

In many simple endeavours, distractions constitute the biggest obstacle to overcome. This is especially true if you're a student, because then resignation and responsibility have yet to take their share of your time. Sometimes these distractions are a result of having to economize one's life. To focus on some things requires energy, on others none; some things are inherently pleasant to do, others not; some things are habitual, others not. The action you decide upon will almost certainly be a valuation of some good things over others, but this will not make you forget about the good things you decided against. Instead, they'll have a sort of constant presence in your mind, assuming you don't try to diminish this presence through scorn and superiority. The presence will manifest as a niggling desire to go back to the other good, now that the preferred one has started to diminish, and the reasons for seeking it are no longer so persuasive. And you occasionally turn aside. The remaining distractions tend to come from others, but people are easy enough to avoid, if you keep in mind what it is you're avoiding.

The likelihood of distraction is one reason I have no fondness for the ideal of home. Home is where I've gathered all the things that most effectively distract me. Home is a place where I'm wasted. In my bedroom, I can flatter myself with my collection of books, play with various trinkets, or fall asleep without the possibility of trance-dreaming. At my computer, I can dither endlessly on the Internet, immerse myself in a game, or write. It's a good place to be entertained, I suppose, but being entertained can be draining. As necessary as it is to have a home, it's a bit annoying to have to live there. Though here as anywhere else, the location is a trifle compared to the company.

So much for simple tasks, and ordinary distractions. When it comes to difficult endeavours, good distractions are vital. Thus a University's science buildings for difficult physics problems, a radio station in the background for online debates, and the city at night for contemplation. A small rest, by diverting oneself in wandering about one of these supportive settings, can decide between success and failure. And when it is the right time with the right mood, I will be in the city, a million people and as many sights, and find that it contains not a thing to distract me.

Comments

[wickedorin.livejournal.com]

Sometimes I have to consciously remind myself to make use of every distraction... which may or may not ultimately allow them to be distractions...

Well. Now I just don't know.

[lhexa.livejournal.com]

Now I just don't know.

If I was Socrates, you would've made my day just now.

But since I'm not... make use of some distractions, avoid others. Find the best.

[wickedorin.livejournal.com]

I was Xanthippe in a 5th grade play. The audience unfairly got to decide Socrates' fate. They let him live.

...I'm sorry, it just... seemed appropriate with the mention of Socrates.