We have season passes for Six Flags. I’ve ridden every ride at Six Flags Over Texas (minus the kiddie rides)…some of them numerous times. During spring break of 2020 (right before everything shut down), I took my daughter for the first time and she started off in Looney Toons land. As she grew older, she graduated into thrill rides. Now, the Titan and Superman rank at the top of her roller coaster list.

During some of our most recent visits, I noticed children sitting on benches, mesmerized by phones, instead of riding rides. I found it ironic to visit an amusement park only to find amusement in a glowing screen instead.

One of these times, my daughter and I used our meal pass to eat dinner at the park. While eating, I noticed a skunk coming our way. Of course, I screamed and jumped up on the bench, and my daughter followed suit. I looked across the way to the table next to us where three children sat. None of them flinched. Engrossed with their phones, they did not react at all to our commotion.

I called to the children multiple times before one of them finally looked up to acknowledge me. Even at this point, his reaction mimicked that of a sloth’s movement. The skunk continued bumbling its way towards us.

I guess the skunk decided it wasn’t worth the effort to douse us in its stench, so it turned around and went back into the fog of Fright Fest. Crisis averted.

This incident made me think about how distractions in my life might cause me to miss out on opportunities or even experience harm due to lack of attention. My phone, YouTube (the only thing I watch regularly), or my overthinking all vie for my attention.

In this digital age, I must intentionally ditch the distractions which threaten to short-circuit my goals and quality of life. I must model this for my Gen Alpha child who knows nothing of life before smart devices.

At the risk of sounding cheesy, don’t allow distractions to invite “skunks” into your life.

EKG