Soul-Stirring Conversations: Susan May Warren Newsletter

Uni-tasking!

Recently a friend of mine turned in his Blackberry. Just...went cold turkey - no more checking the email while standing in line for coffee, or updating his Facebook status while ordering lunch. No more checking the news online to see if the world is still functioning...you know, all those little things that have taken over my life with the advent of my cool new phone. Why, I asked (because, at the time, I thought...hello? Be OUT OF TOUCH with my Facebook friends? Never!)

Not long after, I was at my youngest son's football game. Now, in my defense, they were LOSING about 34 to zip, 3rd quarter. So....I snuck my phone from my pocket and, yes, checked my email. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" my middle son yelled, as if I'd just stood up and cheered for the opposing team. "You'd better not check your email when I'm playing!"

Oops. "Never, " I said and dropped the phone back into my pocket. But well the truth is....

I'm a multi-multi-tasker. I admit buying into the idea that I can do four things at once. Talk on the phone, check my email, write a book and possibly clean the bathroom. (or cook dinner).

It's taken a few years, some burned rice, half-finished (and sent emails) and possibly weird sentences in a novel to realize, that, um....nope. I can't do it. Or at least....well.

I read an article lately about Uni-tasking (as opposed to multi-tasking) in Real Simple magazine.Great premise. The idea is...cutting out the OTHER things I am doing...and just being focused and present in ONE thing at a time.

Like, in my phone calls. How about just sitting on the sofa and talking to my friends?

Like, in my email - how about NOT surfing the internet on my other screen, and just answering my mail...thoughtfully. In complete sentences.

Like, when I am at a football game - NOT checking my email (although I'm giving myself permission to Tweet during halftime!)

Present. Focused. Uni-tasking.

I'm actually finishing conversations. (as opposed to walking abruptly from the room with a thought...and having my family think I've lost my mind). Enjoying my phone calls.

Watching every single play in the football game.

We won, by the way, last Friday night. 27-10. My son made a number of amazing tackles. I didn't tweet about it once.

And the world kept on turning anyway.

Here's a picture of us - He's the grubby one. I'm the Michelin tires girl.

Thanks to everyone who is getting the word out about The Great Christmas Bowl. My oldest son (home from college this weekend!) read it and said it was his favorite of all my books. (He He.) Keep reading for a fun promotion we're doing - share the Bowl with a friend! And don't forget to stop by and SHARE YOUR RECIPEin the Great Christmas Bowl Recipe Exchange!

Thank you for reading (for uni-tasking on this newsletter!) and for your support!