Focusing on One Thing at a Time

I have this premise. Multitasking is a lie. Well, kinda sorta a lie. You see, I believe that we can truly focus on only one thing at a time. If that’s the case how is it that I can wash dishes and have a conversation? Or drive and listen to the radio? how about watch TV and clip coupons? Well ... something has been delegated to the realm of habit – maybe even a couple of somethings.

There is a book out called The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business. It is a great book. At least the Kindle sample part that I read was great. I really want to get that book, but since I’m on a tight budget I hope to get it for my birthday…this week…with an Amazon gift card.

But I digress. What struck me as I read this book was the idea that habits are formed by repetition and once formed they move to a different area of the brain. As far as I can tell this is what makes it possible to multitask. When you can engage multiple parts of the brain for different tasks you are multitasking.

Since multitasking is basically another term for being ADD, (which isn’t a bad thing), I tend to find that I’m not really focusing in on one task, but sort of splitting my attention. However, one of those tasks is going to win and get the better part of my attention. When that happens, the other task is being relegated to the habit center – the basal ganglia.

All this is fine. It also explains how I’m able to drive the car to work (habit) and think through the tasks that await me at work (focus). This explains why I get to work but don’t remember much about the trip there.

If I were to try to navigate to a new location while listening to an audio book (two completely new activities), one would get my attention and the other would be ignored. Neither of these activities can be handled by the habit center because both are brand new activities not yet formed into habits. And this is why I say that multitasking is a lie. Multiple tasks that require thought and concentration can’t be performed simultaneously.

So rather than claiming that I can multitask, it would be more honest to say that I can function in an environment with multiple interruptions. Function – yes. Thrive – not so much.

A Free Saturday

I usually work on Saturdays. Today I have the day off work. It's like I'm playing hooky. I'm not sure what to do. There are so many options. Should I sew? Or shop? Or doing chorey stuff like clean? Ugh...no to that!

But just for the record, I do want to say that I am thankful for this day and all its possibilities. I feel a little guilty that I don't approach each day with this same kind of enthusiasm. Let's face it - work days just don't hold the same promise and options. There's a different kind of thankful for those days.

Today I just might work a little bit on this baby -

I'm Thankful for The Bible

While teaching the four year old class at church last Sunday I was trying to remember the song that I used to sing back in my preschool teacher days. It was a very simple little ditty. After mulling it over I believe I've got it. It goes something like this:

The Bible is a special book
God's words are written there
I'll keep it in a special place
And handle it with care.

This little song is meant to instill a respect for the bible. It is indeed God's holy word and it should be handled with care and reverence. It is also meant to come out of that special place and be cracked open...regularly.

I'm glad to say that so far this year I have studied it daily. I'm thankful for this love letter from God and what I have learned by taking the time to dig deeper.

It's Time to Simplify

I've been thinking about letting the blog go. I'm not as interested in blogging as I've been in the past. Frankly, it's a time thing. Plus there are just so many other blogs out there that do that blog thing better than mine. I don't think of it as quitting, but more as a priority realignment.

I struggle to find time to squeeze blogging into my schedule. Some of my favorite bloggers (Bonnie of Quiltville Snips and Quips and Crystal of Money Saving Mom) are so prolific, even with their busy lives, that I often wonder why I struggle to get something online. Having the "want to" just isn't enough. It's got to become a priority, a goal or a habit - a discipline.

Discipline is not my strongest suit. It is defined as: to train or develop by instruction and exercise especially in self-control. Well now...that sounds doable. After all, isn't that what I'm doing with Weight Watchers? The idea of training is intriguing. Bending and pruning plants so they conform to a preferred course comes to mind when I thing about training. Teaching children how to behave is another example, as is an athlete preparing for a particular event in his career. 

The motivation for pursuing discipline is probably the biggest challenge. At one time I wanted to blog because I thought it might help me in my career pursuits. I'm not sure I'm still convinced that is true. So, here I am arguing with myself. But perhaps I need to simplify and just look at my blog name - Thankful Kim. I could simply choose to post about those things for which I am thankful, keeping it simple and short. What a concept!

So here goes:
Today I am thankful for my small group (from our church). I'm finally getting to know people here in our "new" home. It's been a year and a half since we moved and we are just now starting to feel like we have friends, not just acquaintances. These are people who know what's going on in our lives and care about us. This is cool. 

Sermon Summary

The Choice to Rejoice

Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoicing is a matter of choice. You are the only one who decides if and when you will rejoice. Below are 3 Biblical guidelines to help us  rejoice in all circumstances.

To be joyful is the same as to rejoice.

1. Devote ourselves to prayer. (pray continually)

The bible commands us to do things we can't do ... apart from Him. 

The word "continually" means without ceasing. We are to never stop. Similar to a pilot and control power relationship we are to be constantly open and receptive to communication from God. He is always available to us.

2. Train ourselves to  give thanks. (give thanks in all circumstances)

Giving thanks doesn't happen naturally - it takes training. Just as children must be taught to say please and thank-you, we need to learn to develop the habit of thanking God in all circumstances.

In Acts 16 Paul and Silas were accused, attacked, stripped, beaten and flogged. After all that they were thrown into prison and place in stocks. Yet they prayed and sang hymns. 

Video clip of Helen Behrane - http://www.onewiththem.com/videos/helen-behrane 

We need to quit whining and give thanks to God - we have so much for which to be grateful.

3. Keep your eyes on the prize. (for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus)

Let us fix our eyes on the Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Jesus kept his eyes on the prize. We also need to focus on what matters most. Jesus came to do God's will as shown in Heberews 10:7. We too can rejoice when we know we're right where God wants us to be. 

Ps 16:11 says ...you will fill me with joy in your presence...

There are only three places where we are told directly what the will of God is - 

I Thessalonians 4:3 - It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality.

I Peter 2:15 - For it is by God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.

I Thessalonians 5: 18 - give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

If you wish you could do God's will - this is it.

We need to remember that these verses are commands not suggestions or options.

Such a lot of content for such a little passage.

Coming Soon: Christmas Tree Skirt

Cut it last night.
Hope to sew it tonight.
Stay tuned.

Thankful ... for My Husband

I am thankful, really. It might not seem like it based on the number of posts in the last few several months. But that's not it. Life has gotten kinda crazy, kinda busy. Blogging has become a lower priority. Hopefully, this will change as new choices are made in the future.

I have a renewed thankfulness for my husband. He has been going through a lot of changes in the last couple of years. After losing his job as an architect, he chose to take on a much lower paying job as a janitor at our church. It was humbling, yet fulfilling for him. He was sad to have to leave California and our friends their, but oddly enough he was also sad to leave that job. It gave him time to think - that is a wonderful thing for him.

His next job was as retail salesperson at a nursery (with hopes of becoming a landscape designer). Even though the pay wasn't great, the opportunity to explore a long-held dream was wonderful. The step from salesperson to landscape designer has been challenging. And yet he is so thankful for this chance to pursue that dream that he is working through those challenges with diligence and commitment.

As I have watched my husband make these changes and deal with the fluctuations in salary and hours, it has become apparent that he is committed to providing for us and allowing himself to be used by God in new and different (sometimes very uncomfortable) ways. In this month of thanksgiving, I want to publicly profess my thankfulness to my husband for his provision.

But beyond that, he is a man who cares deeply for me. He's not one for mushy words and extravagant gifts. He would rather show his love in practical ways by folding laundry and taking me out to eat instead of watching me schlog through dinner preparations when I'm exhausted. He's a no-nonsense guy who can be my best supporter and most encouraging cheerleader. I'm seeing a side of him I never would have seen if we hadn't gone through the things we're going through now. I know even more deeply that he is fully committed to me and will never leave me. I will be forever grateful that he is mine and I am his.