Once upon a time, before cell phones and PDAs, cable TV and internet access, there was a species called Homo Sapien. This species survived by adapting to it's environment, moving from place to place when needed, in order to hunt and gather. Entire villages might pick up and go elsewhere, in the name of food and protection from the elements. The only thing on their minds was survival. One focus. One aim. One purpose.
Fast forward a few thousand millennium. The world as we know it is driven by money, power and getting it all done RIGHT NOW. Fast moving, fast thinking, fast eating. Everything we do is based on the speed with which we can accomplish any given task. We're told we MUST. RIGHT NOW.
At what cost do we perform such tasks? How much of this fast-driven pace is contributing to the fast-growing illnesses that seem to abound? More "diseases", more drugs, more sociopaths, more imbalance. We're killing ourselves in the name of speed, and we seem to be oblivious to this fact.
It is not in our nature to multitask. The human brain can only focus on one thought at a time. So what makes us think that multitasking is a good thing? How much of what we do in such a state is actually done well? Think about the state of the world's economy? Do you suppose there's a connection? What about Customer Service? How many times have you actually been satisfied with the service you're provided by any given company?
It would appear that one of the reasons for all the imbalance is precisely this unnatural demand to multitask. We just aren't wired for it. It causes so much stress, it's small wonder we are so ill. It would behoove all of us to reevaluate this "skill" and consider doing things more akin to our natural abilities. When someone does a thing, regardless of what it is, and does it with all her focus and/or attention, typically that thing is accomplished both efficiently and well. On the other hand, when someone is attempting to accomplish 2 or 3 or 4 things at once, more often than not, something gets missed. Something gets done incorrectly. Something is neglected. Then, the person must GO BACK and correct. How, then, is this multitasking saving time? If you do a thing with all your heart/mind/focus, it's likely you're going to do it right, well, and ONCE.
So, how about we rethink this whole thing? How about we stop trying to do nine hundred things at once and just do them ONE AT A TIME. There is a Zen proverb that says, "When walking, walk. When eating, eat."
Do you think the Zen Master knew what was coming?
Camille Strate
Camille Strate is a blossoming Being who spends much of her time writing. She also spends an immense amount of time crafting magickal treasures out of wood. When she makes time for it, she rolls around in the grass with her dogs and cat, pretending to be 9 years old. More often than not, she's got a smile on her face & a whole boat-load of love in her heart. Visiting
her website is highly recommended.
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