Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Scattered Thinking

“There is so much to do and so little time.” Words like these could be the mantra of current times. We take ourselves and our work so seriously that entire days are consumed by urgent tasks. When we finally come to a halt in the evening our minds often remain with a job on which we are working. Our passionate and excessive work ethic is dangerous. It seems financially necessary to be so wrapped up in what we do. Thoughts sometimes are racing and scattered. Sleep is disturbed or difficult.

It is important to develop a habit of quieting your mind. Nothing good happens when your thoughts fly from one thing to the next. We are worried about what there is yet to do or what might have left unfinished during the day. The real cause for this is worry. St. Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians: “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” This is good counsel. Prayer, meditation and becoming centered have the power to bring calm to our thinking and put us back on the right path. It is important to find a quiet place for quick retreat. Even the bathroom will work. But it should be known that you are not to be disturbed for twenty minutes. Start by listening to your breathing. The rhythm of the in and out begins to block out other noise inside your head. Think of the most serene and beautiful place that you have ever seen. Drift to that place and begin your prayer. Give thanks for your life, your family, friends and vocation. Ask for peace and perspective. Smile. You are safe. There is nothing to worry about. All will be well. Now you can go out and receive the ones who love you and give them the attention that they deserve. Your mind will no longer be scattered. You will be attending to what is REALLY important.