M*A*S*H went off the air in 1983, over 30 years ago. After the actor Larry Linville, who played Dr. Frank Burns, left the show, the producers created another character for a replacement: Dr. Charles Emerson Winchester III (played to apoplectic perfection by David Ogden Stiers). As he is introduced to the hectic medical unit, Winchester explains to his new comrades: I do one thing at a time; I do it well; and I move on.
Well, in the world of a MASH unit, being able to multi task and be quick doing it was a real necessity. But it seems to me that we are a culture that honours being able to do several things at once - even if the several things being done are not always being done with full attention. So let me ask you a couple of questions:
+what else are you doing right now, besides reading this blog? Are you on the phone? Looking at a second computer screen for work, or to see how the Reds are doing? Are you supposed to be doing something else, and using this as a time killer? Is the tv on? Is your significant other talking to you?
+When you are in your car, what else is going on? Is there a cup of coffee in one hand? Phone in the other?
+Do you have a quiet time during the day (either for meditation or religious purposes?) Or are you one of those who say, "Oh, I pray while I drive". (and listen to the radio. and drink coffee. and dodge orange barrels. and eat lunch.)
I'd like to think that - with exceptions - Dr. Winchester's code is a good one to follow. It's hard to do. I know. I am guilty of pulling up my bank statement and reconciling my checkbook when someone is telling me a long story on the phone. (Not YOU, of course; I would never do that to YOU) I've been known to watch a movie with a crossword puzzle book in my lap. But you know what? That only feeds my brain's desire for 'more'.
We have a group that meets here twice a month for meditation; not a long period of time - about 55 minutes a meeting. But folks who come always talk about how it takes a while to slow the brain down. Often we don't feed the brain, or the heart, or the soul, what it NEEDS; we feed it what we've trained it to want. Which is 'more'.
Feeling anxious? Is there a part of you that hums with anxiety? You can either add yet another distraction to the circus, or you can start feeding yourself 'slow'. Feeding yourself 'one at a time'. Feeding yourself 'time to listen to God'. OF COURSE it's going to be hard at first. All good things are.
I will give you a citation from Scripture now. I am not going to give you the entire quote, though that would be easy. I am going to suggest you close this window, and either look it up on the computer, or actually pull out a Bible and look it up. And for one minute, do nothing else but listen to what it says to you about God.
Blessings on us all, as we seek to do more things 'one at a time'.
Well, in the world of a MASH unit, being able to multi task and be quick doing it was a real necessity. But it seems to me that we are a culture that honours being able to do several things at once - even if the several things being done are not always being done with full attention. So let me ask you a couple of questions:
+what else are you doing right now, besides reading this blog? Are you on the phone? Looking at a second computer screen for work, or to see how the Reds are doing? Are you supposed to be doing something else, and using this as a time killer? Is the tv on? Is your significant other talking to you?
+When you are in your car, what else is going on? Is there a cup of coffee in one hand? Phone in the other?
+Do you have a quiet time during the day (either for meditation or religious purposes?) Or are you one of those who say, "Oh, I pray while I drive". (and listen to the radio. and drink coffee. and dodge orange barrels. and eat lunch.)
I'd like to think that - with exceptions - Dr. Winchester's code is a good one to follow. It's hard to do. I know. I am guilty of pulling up my bank statement and reconciling my checkbook when someone is telling me a long story on the phone. (Not YOU, of course; I would never do that to YOU) I've been known to watch a movie with a crossword puzzle book in my lap. But you know what? That only feeds my brain's desire for 'more'.
We have a group that meets here twice a month for meditation; not a long period of time - about 55 minutes a meeting. But folks who come always talk about how it takes a while to slow the brain down. Often we don't feed the brain, or the heart, or the soul, what it NEEDS; we feed it what we've trained it to want. Which is 'more'.
Feeling anxious? Is there a part of you that hums with anxiety? You can either add yet another distraction to the circus, or you can start feeding yourself 'slow'. Feeding yourself 'one at a time'. Feeding yourself 'time to listen to God'. OF COURSE it's going to be hard at first. All good things are.
I will give you a citation from Scripture now. I am not going to give you the entire quote, though that would be easy. I am going to suggest you close this window, and either look it up on the computer, or actually pull out a Bible and look it up. And for one minute, do nothing else but listen to what it says to you about God.
Blessings on us all, as we seek to do more things 'one at a time'.
Matthew 11:28
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