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January 2005
In this issue of The Quest:
1. The Quest Quote
2. The End of Multitasking Mama
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1. Quote:
How wonderful it is that nobody need
wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
~Anne Frank
2. The End of Multitasking Mama
Its January. And this newsletter is very late. Intentionally
late. Its my less-is-more plan for 2005!
Ive made one resolution for the New Year. No diet plans. No
financial goals. Just one doozie that will keep me busy
er, I mean, calm and relaxed
all year: Learn how to single-task. And as it so happened, writing this
newsletter at the crack of 2005 was simply not priority number one. Well done, Debs.
Single-tasking is not an easy job. In fact, Ive always been one
proud, do-it-all, organized, list-checking, kinda woman. Until, that is, about 10 months
ago when AllConsuming Girl arrived on the scene to mess up the whole plan. And a mess, at
times, I have been.
Not to say that as a confirmed multitasker I didnt try
to maintain my highly productive style of living (somebody has to mow the lawn with
baby in the Bjorn, while calling the insurance guy on the cordless!) But there came a
point, actually it was one seriously confused day, when I realized that my
overly-efficient behavior had finally taken its toll on my brain synapses.
Although the details are still fuzzy, it was the final ten minutes of
a ten-month long journey that ultimately led to my awakening.
The day started out as usual. Five minutes to get out of the house and I cant find
my keys. No problem. Looking in the most appropriate place, I open the fridge to find my
hairdryer. Interesting. Feeling hunger pangs at the sight of cold soup, I throw the
bowl in the microwave and continue to search. Unbeknownst to me, Brilliant Lady, staring
at me from the ExerSaucer, is sending me a telepathic message that my keys are hanging out
of my front pocket.
Babies sure are cute. Too bad they arent too
bright, I mused. Gosh Im hungry.
Opening the fridge, I lean over to look in the crisper and my keys
hit the floor. Back on track. Microwave dings. Mental note: call Sears to get the timer
fixed on microwave ovenit keeps dinging for no reason.
Ready to tackle the day. Stroller, dog, bills, wallet, pants
(Im not that crazybut I do make it a habit to check), keys, baby
paraphernalia, helmet (dont ask)
one trip, two trips, three trips, done. With
all this exercise, its no wonder Im still hungry after two meals.
Lock up. Pack up. Strap in. Seal down. I operate like a well
oiled-machine, all while I entertain the team by singing Itsy Bitsy Spider
rap style. I back out of the garage, slowly. Check TravelGirl in the Bear
View Mirror.
And Screech!
All I could see was my hairy-bellied pooch, lazily reclined in the car seat. The
five-point safety harness perfectly aligned across his chest, his eyes lit up with
anticipation for the ride of his life. And there it was: the end of Multitasking Mom.
Tail between my own legs, I returned to the house. Miss Lovely was patiently waiting for
me to ditch my all-day errands and join her on the floor for a game of Youre
Looking at Me Funnya guaranteed giggle fest! Perhaps theres more behind
those saucer-sized eyes and Churchill-like cheeks? Could it be hunger? No, thats me.
From that day forth I have attempted to do one thing at a time. If I want to experience my
life, to be witness to it, to be the mother that I want to be, I need to live in the
momentpresent and focusednot rushing through and overlapping each task in
order to complete the next.
Im proud to say that to date, Ive accomplished three things:
1) When Im eating, Im not simultaneously checking email.
2) When Im reading to Curious One, Im not answering the phone.
And most importantly,
3) When Im sleeping, dont even think of interrupting me, Im unbreakable.
If less is truly more, then for 2005 I am striving for absolutely
nothingbeyond this very moment. Got to run. Fussy Girl needs me. Now!
No one said it would be easy
wish me luck. And wishing all of
you a healthy, happy 2005!
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