Deterioration of the Fast Lane

The ability to multitask is a valuable skill. It is essential to career advancement as is prioritizing. The classic image of a mother epitomizes multitasking as she looks after a cluster of children, folds laundry, talks on the phone, cooks supper, watches Oprah and eats bonbons all at the same time. Oh yes, mothers make it look it easy but don't be fooled. It is hard work.

We all have things that we find challenging. For some people just walking while chewing gum is detrimental. Personally I cannot successfully drive while holding a coffee. I admit it is worse than that as I cannot make it to my destination with a full cup of java placed in a cup holder for that matter. I recognize my weakness and send my husband out to get me coffee whenever necessary.

As more restraints get put upon on schedules, we find ourselves multitasking whenever possible. There are some of us who can efficiently apply makeup in the rear view mirror, nibble on a few bites of breakfast, make some important phone calls, flip through the radio dial, while running errands in our SUVs. Of course there are a few people that bring the rest of us down. On more than one occasion they rear-end a vehicle while chatting on their cell phone. Soon insurance companies, law enforcement, politicians and members of the general public who actively search out issues to get their knickers in a knot join together, all up in arms, calling for legislation to be passed. Ban cell phone usage in motor vehicles.

Then the iPod revolution began. After a few pedestrians got hit by cars while listening to music, those same non-lovers of the cell phone obsessed driver, jumped on the campaign for prohibiting crossing the street while using gadgets including an iPod, cell phone, Blackberry or video game. This will be as easily enforced as the law that declares no spanking children under the age of three. As a parent I don't agree with spanking but that is another topic.

People don't respond well to having others tell them how to make reasonable judgments. Rules are not the solution. We need to focus on our surroundings and slow down. We shouldn't hurry through this life, multitasking our lives away. There is something to be said for being really great at one thing even if that is just chewing gum.