Is there a cause, individual, or activity you are devoted to? If so, what does that look like, and what caused and propels your devotion? To be devoted to a a cause, individual, or activity takes lots of time and attention. Are your devotions worth that time and attention?
I thought about this topic today as I realized my devotions are consuming my life--the people, places, and activities I'm devoted to are my greatest focus, and a focus like this means you're not focused on other people, places, or activities.
If our devotions are positive, it seems to me that they are rightly directed. We often don't know why we're completely devoted to some aspects of life, but when positive, we can imagine that these devotions are meant to be and will positively affect others as well.
In a sense, we bear witness to our values, beliefs, and ethics, when we devote ourselves to positive endeavor of any kind, and that witness brings strengths and knowledge to others.
My mother was completely devoted to our extended family, and that devotion taught me a lot about what family can be and is for us. My dad's devotion to nature has been a great teacher too--I've learned a lot about the energy and beauty nature brings to our lives from his devotion. A good friend's devotion to research and another's devotion to service have been terrific teachers to me too.
When it comes to devotion, the key factor is to make sure that your devotions are well directed. To spend lots of time and attention devoted to negative, life-sucking activities is clearly not a good path to follow, but to be devoted to positive people, places, and activities is life-enriching instead. Onward.