Knock Knock, Who’s There?

On any given day, are you rushing here and there, frustrated as you run errands and get family tasks completed? We’re all so busy that we find ourselves forced to do many things at once just to make progress with our daily life’s “do it now” list. “Hurry, hurry, hurry” is the chant in our head.

Seems like I’m never digging in one pile that I don’t think I should be diggin’ in another. If follows that I often end up with only pieces of things done, kind of like being an almost millionaire…well, I could be, except being poor takes all my time.

We’re all there. It’s not easy working 50 - 60 hour weeks or more, just to pay rent, utilities, and shop for clothing for the kids, paying $4.00 bucks a gallon for gas to get to where you need to be; who knows what’s next.

Oh, I know “Europe Shmurup’s” been paying that and more for years, blah, blah, blah. I get it. They also get a lot of bang for their buck, with socialized medicine, lots of paid vacation and sick leave, and government subsidies, so let’s not cry them a river yet. I’m not bitter, but this is America not Europe and we can gripe about these increases puh-lease!!

I understand the world economy is a-changin’ (largely due to bad decisions decades ago and currently by those who have more power than you and I) but, I don’t intend to quietly purchase a bike to get around. I LIKE my car and they will take it away from me kicking and screaming along with my energy burning HD TV and don’t touch that remote. Remember, I’m SPOILED.

Having said that, I want to talk about where our minds are. And, just for the record, I’m all about multi-tasking. During most of my parenting life, I was a parent of more than 6 in the house at one time; held more than one job, attended college classes in the wee hours of the morning, and was appointed the family ambassador as I carried on 4 conversations at once while answering the phone; emptying the dishwasher; wiping snotty noses; cooking dinner and settling teen disagreements as I skillfully dodged mysterious flying objects.

I can bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan with the best of ‘em.

So, I can too walk and chew bubble gum at the same time. If you could picture yourself in all of the above, then you and I walk the same road.

However, driving to a new assignment at work this morning brought to mind that we, as neighbors, seem to be lacking in concentration skills

Being nosey, I noticed a car on my right, that had been behind me and was now flyin’ high towards the upcoming red light. Having reached it ahead of me by about 10 seconds, I’m sure the young woman was satisfied she was making great progress. Paying great homage to multi-tasking, she had her head down and was either texting on her cell phone or dialing a 120 digit phone number.

The light turned green and I forged ahead by 20 yards, determined to not to be left behind. However, she was not as skilled at multi-tasking as she might have been because she lagged behind, head bent towards the phone in her lap.

The cars behind her laid on their horns; and once again, the race to the next red light was on. I was ahead, driving contentedly, when all of a sudden she passed me at great speed, still texting, and swerved into my lane missing me by at least 2 feet so where was the harm, right?

Being the patient person I am, I refrained from blowing the horn. But, I started thinking: lately, it seems to be really hard to get anyone’s attention. Either nothing is important or everything’s important, I’m not sure which, but

Here’s where I’m at:

Could I Have Your Attention, Please!

• If you’re at a red light putting on your make up or texting to your lover, Please Don’t!
• If you’re the cashier TOTALLY ignoring me while talking to your fellow employee as I’m waiting to prepay for the four dollar a gallon or more gasoline, PLEASE DON’T.
• If you’re the person walking around in the store talking via the blue tooth that I don’t notice at first and think you’re either talking to me or are a crazy person, causing me to creatively dodge you, PLEASE DON’T.
• If you’re the person driving next to me, and are so focused with your cell phone conversation or partner in the car that you don’t notice that I’m on the road, PLEASE DO.
• If you’re the server and forget I’m needing water or my ticket, because you’re discussing with a co-worker your argument with your date the night before, PLEASE DON’T.
• If you’re the person I’m trying to reach by phone, in a department store, but are so busy with stocking and walking at a snail’s pace, PLEASE PICK UP THE PHONE.
• If YOU’RE the person who’s been at the department store as a clerk for the last 5 years but still can’t tell me where the toilet paper is or the Advil after I did a very creative dance to get your attention, PLEASE LEARN YOUR STORE and pay attention to me.
• If you’re the person sitting at the counter as I walk up to you in an office where I have to be at the moment, MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE AND CAN YOU GIVE ME A SMILE!! I hate waiting 5 minutes and then being treated like I just interrupted you while you were having sex. I’m the customer, remember what that is?
• If you happen to be the doctor that I took time out of my day to go find out what’s wrong with me, PLEASE DON’T leave me in your little tiny claustrophobic room for 3 hours!
• If you are the salesman, the secretary, the hostess-with-the-most-est, the teacher, the mom who’s child has just said “mommy” over and over for 10 minutes without so much as a glance from you, if you are my spouse, someone’s spouse, someone’s friend or lover, CAN WE HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE!

I fear we have lost the art to pay attention, to stop what we’re doing for the moment, to listen, to connect, to really tune in and get the job done, the quality job - done right the first time.

It’s rubbing off on me…last night the dog had to bark to get his bone, I said “Huh?” to my husband probably 6 times before I really took the time to hear him, and I ignored the cell phone as it rang (which is probably ok), even my cat tapped me on the shoulder for a hug.

To heighten my fear of losing my mind even more, I have a book on tape that I have now tried for 5 times to complete. I still can’t tell you what it’s about. As soon as the voice speaks in my ear I’m out like a light or in la la land, fighting great battles, slaying dragons, or maybe shopping, or writing that next great hub.

I just can’t seem to pay attention, but puh-lease deliver me from being as distracted as those around me. Nope. Not me, surely not me.

Hello, is anyone there? Can we please just have a little concentration?

I’ve lost you already, you went to sleep didn’t you?

This original content from Marisue Alsobrook also posted at hubpages.

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