33 Dots – A Bear Juggling?

Today I would like to show you the process of the 33 dots. It’s a game my friend Meg Konovska taught me. It loosens me up as I try to see the picture, then colour it. Today it turned into a juggling bear which reminded me of multitasking.

First I put down 33 dots randomly with my eyes closed. (Sorry forgot the picture of the dots.)

Next I draw the lines around the dots without any lines crossing.

Then I try to figure out what it is. I turn it around and around until I see something. This time I saw a bear.

Then I colour it.

I used pencil crayons – not watercolour pencil crayons this time. I don’t think the paper I chose is for pencil crayons as there is too much texture. But I will try again.

Thoughts:

This is where I tell you a story about the picture. After some thought as I was colouring the picture, it came to me that we do this a lot – try to stand on one foot while balancing something in one hand. It’s a trick. Sometimes we can do it. But if there is anything that disturbs our concentration then the ball comes tumbling down.

And that reminded me of multi-tasking.

When we try to do more than one thing at a time. Most studies I have read say that it turns out this practice is not a good thing – for your brain or the task you are doing.

Here is a good report about multitasking. 12 Surprising Reasons Multitasking doesn’t work.

And here are the 12 reasons cited:

1. It’s slowing you down.
2. You make mistakes.
3. It’s stressing you out.
4. You’re missing out on life.
5. Your memory may suffer.
6. It’s hurting relationships.
7. It can make you overeat.
8. You’re not actually good at it.
9. It dampens your creativity.
10. You can’t only handle it once.
11. It can be dangerous.
12. You are not really multitasking – you are task switching

Cell phone usage?

I wrote about cell phone usage for my next podcast (next Tuesday on HopeStreamRadio) – because I feel we are overusing our phones. Cell phones can keep us from paying attention to those around us. I have been watching when we walk, or when we are in the store and the number of people talking and walking with cell phones is huge.

Are you one of those people?

As for “multitasking” or “task-switching”, I find there are sometimes I need to do it. When I do the laundry I am not going to wait for each load to be finished – I am going to do something while I am waiting. The same for cooking a meal – sometimes there are a few things that can be done ahead, and when I am preparing one thing I can still prepare another.

But I am going to try harder to sit down and write at one sitting, at least for 45 minutes, before I get up and move around. (And that’s an advantage of multitasking – I get more exercise and a change of pace.)

Anyway that’s my thoughts about my painting today.

Spiritual Thoughts

God tells us to search for wisdom, to seek understanding, and be aware of the world around us.

We can’t do that if we are multitasking, especially with our cell phones.

From Proverbs 8:21 in The Message:

Wisdom is talking.

You can find me on Righteous Road—that’s where I walk—
    at the intersection of Justice Avenue,
Handing out life to those who love me,
    filling their arms with life—armloads of life!

That’s what I am working toward – armloads of life. What about you?

Here is an example of one of Meg’s paintings. 

CALL TO ACTION:

Are you a Christian writer? If so, do you need to go deeper in your spiritual journey.

One way to continue to grow in God’s Word is online.

Growing Through God’s Word is an interactive Facebook Group that is a safe place to explore your faith without judgment. Learn to read your Bible and discover God’s Word. Learn to listen and hear God speak.

We share. We learn. We create. We connect. We grow.

Janis is a creativity catalyst with a heart to connect people to God. She specializes in creating art based on Scripture so that the Truth penetrates hearts and not just minds.The world needs more pictures, art and colour.