What if my kids don’t have perfect grades, hair and manners?  What if I don’t put together the perfect blog post?  What if I blow off a few things on my to-do list? What if I just let myself enjoy all the experiences and distractions that arise in my day?

It’s incredibly hard for me to let go of expectations (my own and those others impose) but I stare at the name of my blog — space2live — and smack myself upside the head for my hypocrisy.  I do not condone reckless irresponsibility but I do recommend a lack of resistance to fun and beautiful experiences that appear in life.

Over the last week, I have been pleasantly distracted by all kinds of people and activities. I have been eating out, sleeping in, watching movies, goofing off and not getting my writing done.  I am handling financial tasks and parenting carefully but otherwise I am off the charts distracted and amused.

This time it’s not the have to’s of life stealing my attention.  It’s the pleasures.

Relationships Are Distracting

Maybe spring is the time to allow minds to wander. Love is in the air and intoxicates all with its heady perfume.  Suddenly, many of my single friends are attached, entangled and cohabitating. I can’t help but  listen to their tales of coupling, cooing and plain-old lust. I am eagerly happy for them. I feed off their expansive energy.  Having eased into the dating world myself, I empathize with their sensual daydreaming and lack of focus. Given I already have an intensely rich inner life, it doesn’t take much effort to lose myself in recollections and nuances. Could it be that the energy created by the mingling of  beings outweighs the distraction factor?

I’ll Let That Slide

So far, I am carrying on quasi-efficiently in all areas except writing. I sit at my computer poised to compose, put on some music and poof! all viable material vanishes. Granted material surfaces, but the topics foremost in my mind are not appropriate for sharing. I’m distracted by personal aspects of other people’s lives and ummm…sex. Yep, lately I’m a mix of curious housewife and typical dude. Again, I should consider writing fiction.

Children And Summer Are Distracting

My children are revitalized by sunshine and green grass.  They come home with stories tumbling off their tongues and a light playfulness that seemed absent during the slate months of winter. It’s easy and sweet to listen to their outpourings. We take bike-rides, plan road-trips and buy bathing suits. The colorful living is especially precious as I contemplate the long and solitude-free summer that approaches. It makes me wonder, Should I put writing on the back-burner and give myself space to be carefree with my kids? We’ll see how my focus and sanity are affected by full-time parenting.

Friends and Good Times Are Distracting

Friends and family are requesting my presence for coffee, dinner, festivals, and late night chats.  I love all the conversation intimacy.  I deeply enjoy the fulfilling activities.  I feel this is what living is all about. To further the friendship extravaganza I plan to host a get-together or two over the summer.  I love the idea of a gathering of the incredible people who surround me.  The kids can run and scream in the yard and the adults can eat, laugh and glow on the deck.

As I have said before life is all about relationships and experiences.  I plan to listen to my own wisdom and not beat myself up about my serious distractibility.  I’ll continue to flit around from bright light to bright light, soaking up the energy and joy.  So a few things slip — the laundry doesn’t get done, weeds rest easy in my yard, the 2nd grade project isn’t museum worthy and my blog posts are slightly sub-par. Letting go is so sweet.

It’s quite possible that everything could be viewed as a distraction so allow your head to turn but choose with wisdom. Create your best most fulfilling life. Make space to live.

How do you let yourself off the hook?  Are distractions enhancing or detracting from your best life?

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