More Distractions: A Lesson in Focus

My grandson, Zach asked me to help him with his new Lego sets. When he got the boxes out, he planned to just spill them all out together on the floor. I suggested that he empty each box on a different tray to keep the pieces to each Lego set separate.

As he opened the first box, he examined the instructions carefully. Then, with a look of panic, he asked, "Nonnie, could you help me?"

I tried to get down on the floor with him at first; then, I suggested he place the tray on the footstool in front of my chair. Zach kneeled down next to my stool.

I sensed Zach's frustration, as he looked at all the tiny pieces on the tray. But when I suggested he look at the directions, one illustration at a time, he began to focus in on the project. "Zach, let's look at the first picture, what pieces do you need?"

Zach picked up two pieces, putting them carefully together. Then, he looked at the next picture, trying to concentrate. But the movie his sister Jill watched distracted him. I tried to encourage him by reminding him to concentrate on the steps to his Legos. As long as he could stay focused on each step of the Lego project, he did fine.

I realized as I watched Zach, I was just like him, as I struggled to stay focused on projects that were important to me. If I allowed anything to distract me, I could not focus.

2008-2012 Karen Jordan