The other morning, I sat down to tackle my to-do list and quickly realized I had a focus problem. I was trying to pay a bill, respond to an email, run through my daily tasks—and in the background, I had both music and the TV on. It was chaos disguised as productivity.
You might be thinking, Lela, how is that “white noise”? Where’s the quiet? And honestly? I had to ask myself the same thing.
Out loud, I said: “Lela, what are you even doing?” (Yes, I talk to myself. I just don’t answer back—yet. 😅)
There was no real reason for the frenzy. No one was pressuring me to multitask. So I paused. Turned off the TV—it was on out of habit anyway. My husband and I usually watch the local news and sports in the mornings, but it had become more of a distraction than a help.
Next, I changed the music. I hadn’t even realized the playlist I had on was full of angry, bitter breakup songs. The kind that drains your spirit instead of feeding it. No wonder I was feeling off.
Then I returned to the email I’d tried to respond to earlier. Every time I had pressed “Reply,” nothing happened. Now I believe that was God shielding me from myself—because when I read it again, free of noise and offense, I realized I’d totally misunderstood the message. What I thought was shade or criticism wasn’t there at all.
That’s when it hit me: the atmosphere I’d set had influenced my perception. The music, the TV—those little sound bites had seeped into my spirit. I’d unintentionally created a mood of tension and offense.
As a worshipper who serves in music ministry, I know the power of atmosphere. That morning was a reminder: I have to be intentional about the space I create, even in the background.
The distractions weren’t just noise. They were robbing me of clarity, peace, and purpose.
💡 Memoir Moment – Your Turn:
As Black women, we carry a lot—responsibilities, dreams, and emotions that often go unspoken. But even in the noise, we have the power to choose peace.
What’s playing in the background of your life right now—music, media, even mindsets? Are they helping you walk boldly in your purpose, or quietly pulling you away from it?
Take a moment to reset your atmosphere. Your clarity, creativity, and calling depend on it.
© 2025, Lela Fagan. All rights reserved.
