DRIVEN BY DISTRACTION

Let’s admit it: We’re being driven to distraction. Perhaps more accurately, we are driven by distraction.

The French philosopher Blaise Pascal once wrote that “Distraction is the only thing that consoles us for our miseries, and yet it is itself the greatest of our miseries.”

It makes me wonder if Pascal had a smart phone, a high-speed internet connection, and a big-screen flat TV — for those are major distractions in today’s world. He also once said that all of humanity’s problems come from our inability to sit quietly in a room, alone.

Author Nicholas Carr, in his book “The Shallows,” notes that the average American spends at least eight hours a day in front of a screen, in part because the number of hours American adults spent online doubled between 2005 and 2009, and the hours spent in front of a TV screen is increasing as well. Studies show that the average American teenager sends or receives 75 text messages per day, although the record, according to the Dec. 29, 2011 New York Times column, “The Joy of Quiet,” is held by a girl in Sacramento who somehow managed to send and receive 10,000 texts every day for a month. Driven by distraction, indeed.

Frankly, this worries me. As an only child, growing up near a rural area of Pennsylvania, I spent hours wandering the stubby fields or hiking in the woods. I can remember lying on my back watching fluffy clouds morph into dogs and dragons, whiling the time away in the long, empty expanses of summer. It fed the imagination. There was time to let the mind wander and to make up stories that took you to faraway lands and imagined adventures.

I wonder if our kids have many of those moments today. I wonder whether we “connected” adults have lost the ability to

“sit quietly in a room, alone.”

Perhaps the folks in China and Korea have come upon something helpful. They have “internet rescue camps” to treat kids addicted to the screen. There are now resorts where you pay extra for the privilege of having no TV and no Internet connection. At one, you are forbidden to wear a watch. No distractions. Vacation — literally, an empty space.

My daughter was a TV news reporter for nine years after college. She’s now a middle school social studies teacher. She left reporting because of the increasing emphasis on “breaking news.” It seems that we are more likely to pay attention to our distractions when they come lightning fast, in sound bites. There was little time for the in-depth story, to linger on one subject long enough for deeper understanding.

We are driven by distraction.

During a recent week of “staycation,” I spent the time cleaning the garage —getting rid of years of “stuff,” culling down to what we really need and use, simplifying life. It felt so good! Now I actually want people to see the garage we had always hidden.

I wonder if we don’t need to do a little housecleaning of our distractions. Maybe take an “internet Sabbath” once a week, or limit the hours of constant TV.

Why not try it? Go lie in a field, watch a cloud, and make up a story. Or sit in a quiet room. It’ll do you good.

Community

The Family Place raised a record-breaking $1.04 million through its annual Partners Card campaign, which ran Oct. 28-Nov. 6. The event involved hundreds of local businesses that offered discounts to those who shopped with the Partners Card. The Family Place, which has its nonprofit resale shop in Preston Hollow, provides resources for domestic violence victims who have fled dangerous living conditions and are working to restart their lives, usually with no money and few possessions.

North Haven Gardens continues its free series on proper lawn watering, following the city’s latest restrictions. The “Water Right” workshop is 10-11 a.m. Feb. 18 at the garden center, 7700 Northaven. For details, call 214.363.5316 or visit nhg.com.

The Dallas Area Parkinsonism Society will meet at 1 p.m. Feb. 13 at University Park United Methodist Church, featuring speaker and Pinnacle Home Health community liaison Sheila Ricketts’slecture on “A Matter of Balance.” The church is at 4024 Caruth, and admission is free. For details, call 972.620.7600.

Myrna Schlegel and Kim Schlegel Whitman, a mother and daughter from Preston Hollow, received the 10th annual Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award from Texas Woman’s University of which they are alumni. The award will be presented during a luncheon Feb. 16 at the Belo Mansion. It is given annually to community leaders in Dallas who have helped improve the quality of life and promote education.

Education

Marsh Middle School students received the First Place Sweepstakes Award at the Thomas Jefferson High School Debate Tournament in December where 13 junior high teams competed. Alex Almaguer and Mia Patterson took first place, and Brianna Baird and Lindsey Pinckard took second place. The top speaker awards went to: Mia Patterson, first place; Lindsey Pinckard, third place; Alex Almaguer, fourth place; Trent Christensen, seventh place; and Brianna Baird, eighth place.

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School Of Contemporary Ballet Dallas

1902 abrams Pkwy., Dallas / 214.821.2066 / www.schoolofcbd.com Summer Dance 2011. Two sessions available: June 6-August 13. Toddlers/Youths/ Teens classes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz & HipHop, Contemporary and Fairies & Frogs, Princesses & Princes, Summer Intensive workshops~ Morning, Afternoon & Evening classes available. Register Now! ADULTS, Get in Shape with Dance Workout, Just Barre and Basics Beginner Classes! All levels of Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Hip-hop Contemporary & Tap! Professional instructors in a positive environment! Schedule available on-line. REGISTER NOW – space is limited!

the hiGhLaNDer SchooL

9120 Plano rd. Dallas / 214.348.3220 / www.highlanderschool.com Founded in 1966, Highlander School offers an enriched curriculum in a positive, Christian-based environment. Small class sizes help teachers understand the individual learning styles of each student. Give us a call for more information.

JaNie chriSty SchooL oF DaNce

9090 Skillman, Ste. 299a Dallas 75243 / 214.343.7472 www.janiechristydance.com

This is Janie Christy’s 19th year teaching children to dance in Lake Highlands! Offerings include creative movement, preschool ballet & tap combos, kindergarten thru adults in ballet, tap, jazz-hip/hop and modern. Winter Session for Moms/Tots will be Fridays in Jan and Feb. introducing toddlers 14 mos. thru 2 yrs. to fun songs, word plays and dance activities. 11:15 a.m.-12:00. www.janiechristydance.com

LakehiLL PreParatory SchooL

Leading to Success. 2720 hillside Dr., Dallas 75214 / 214.826.2931, www.lakehillprep.org Kindergarten through Grade 12 - Lakehill Preparatory School takes the word preparatory in its name very seriously. Throughout a student’s academic career, Lakehill builds an educational program that achieves its goal of enabling graduates to attend the finest, most rigorous universities of choice. Lakehill combines a robust, collegepreparatory curriculum with opportunities for personal growth, individual enrichment, and community involvement. From kindergarten through high school, every Lakehill student is encouraged to strive, challenged to succeed, and inspired to excel.

ScoFieLD chriStiaN SchooL

50 years educating 3k through Grade 6 214-349-6843 / ww.scofieldchristian.org

PRESCHOOL PREVIEW DAY! February 16th at 10:00 am Bring your 3k – 4k child and experience a day in the life of our preschool students. Spend time in the library, create a masterpiece in the art room, play around in PE and visit our preschool classrooms. Join us and discover what makes SCS the school for your family. You will find a friendly spirit that can be seen in every classroom and beyond. Scofield Christian School is accredited through the Association of Christian Schools International (A.C.S.I.).

SPaNiSh hoUSe

5740 Prospect ave. Dallas / 214.826.4410 / DallasSpanishhouse.com Spanish House is a Spanish immersion preschool for children ages 2 – 5. We offer half-day and full-day programs with extended day care available from 7:30am – 6:00pm. We offer a traditional preschool curriculum delivered 100% in Spanish. Prior exposure to Spanish is not necessary. Our teachers are experienced, degreed, native-Spanish speakers. We also offer after-school and Saturday classes for PK and elementary-aged students, both onand off-site. Additionally, we have an adult Spanish program for beginning, intermediate and advanced students.

St. chriStoPher’S MoNteSSori SchooL

7900 Lovers Ln. / 214.363.9391 www.stchristophersmontessori.com St. Christopher’s Montessori School has been serving families in the DFW area for over a quarter of a century. We are affiliated with the American Montessori Society and our teachers are certified Montessori instructors. Additionally our staff has obtained other complimentary educational degrees and certifications, including having a registered nurse on staff. Our bright and attractive environment, and highly qualified staff, ensures your child will grow and develop in an educationally sound, AMS certified loving program. Now Enrolling.

St. JohN’S ePiScoPaL SchooL

848 harter rd., Dallas 75218 / 214.328.9131 / www.stjohnsschool.org

Founded in 1953, St. John’s is an independent, co-educational day school for Pre-K through Grade 8. With a tradition for academic excellence, St. John’s programs include a challenging curriculum in a Christian environment along with instruction in the visual and performing arts, Spanish, German, French, and opportunities for athletics and community service. St. John’s goal for its students is to develop a love for learning, service to others, and leadership grounded in love, humility, and wisdom. Accredited by ISAS, SAES, and the Texas Education Agency.

white rock North SchooL

9727 white rock trail Dallas / 214.348.7410. 2 Years through 5th Grade. 45 years of successful students! Our accelerated curriculum provides opportunity for intellectual and physical development in a loving and nurturing environment. Character-building and civic responsibility are stressed. Facilities include indoor swimming pool, skating rink, updated playground, and state-of-the-art technology lab. Kids Club on the Corner provides meaningful after-school experiences. Summer Camp offers field trips, swimming, and a balance of indoor and outdoor activities designed around fun-filled themes. Accredited by SACS. Call for a tour of the campus. www.WhiteRockNorthSchool.com.

ZioN LUtheraN SchooL

6121 e. Lovers Ln. Dallas / 214.363.1630 / www.ziondallas. org Toddler care thru 8th Grade. Serving Dallas for over 58 years offering a quality education in a Christ-centered learning environment. Degreed educators minister to the academic, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of students and their families. Before and after school programs, Extended Care, Parents Day Out, athletics, fine arts, integrated technology, Spanish, outdoor education, Accelerated Reader, advanced math placement, and student government. Accredited by National Lutheran School & Texas District Accreditation Commissions and TANS. Contact Principal Jeff Thorman. more than a magazine

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