Multitasking or Mindfulness?

It’s true that without being able to multitask a parent could not accomplish all that needs to be done. Furthermore, pride comes from keeping all of the balls in the air and not “messing-up” too often.

One can cook while supervising homework, and empty the dishwasher at the same time. And if a text comes in.... well, that can be answered immediately.

Mindfulness is the opposite of multitasking. Mindfulness is focusing on one thing at a time and only that activity. It’s noticing only the present activity.

Many of the household activities from the past promoted mindfulness.

Activities such as ironing a shirt, washing dishes by hand, shelling peas, hand watering the shrubs or lawn, polishing silver all gave one the opportunity to be mindful. While the hands were busy, one could focus on the task at hand.

I encourage you to take one activity each day and focus on only that one activity. Notice all that is required for that activity. Stay with it and enjoy the peace that it provides. Let thoughts of the next activity float away. Let thoughts of the previous activity float away. Stay with the present activity. Feel the peace.

What do we model for our children hyperactivity or mindfulness? There is a time to practice mindfulness. It is worth the venture. It is worth finding the pleasure and peacefulness.