Distraction Not Allowed

One thing that I am not good at is multi-tasking. But it does not mean I am good at other things. I have always been average in every task I perform. Which is kind of very relaxing because nobody expects too much out of an average person. Even if you fail its okay and accepted without any qualms. But if you are an outstanding student, worker, householder etc. the expectation level goes higher and higher and you have to be on your toes to prove yourself or break your own records from time to time.

Now coming to the prompt. Being an average person means you can only do one work at a time. If I listen to music I cannot complete the work in hand. That is why I never put on the stereo while driving. I fear I’ll get lost. Not that I drive much. I don’t like driving either. Concentrating on the road for long is not what I can do well.

You see I have a wandering mind. Music makes it wander more. Therefore, it’s best for me to focus wholeheartedly on the job which requires employment of grey cells . Since, an average person has slightly rusted grey cells it’s wiser not to pressure them.

As children, we used to hear the radio all the time. Binaca Geet Mala which later became Cibaca Geet Mala, Chhaya Geet, Yuv Vani, various other musical programs on Vividh Bharati. We also listened to sponsored programs like Inspector Eagle. Hawa Mahal, which aired audio plays, was also a program to look forward to. On certain days Didi(elder sister) put on the channel which aired English music. At that time songs were played on public choice or demand. Now it’s as per the RJ’s preference who may or may not have good ear for melody.  Nowadays to make a song hit it is played and replayed. I guess, in those days too the method was the same. The only difference being they took so and so names from such and such places who wanted to listen to that particular song. Now who knew whether those people really requested for those songs ? More importantly did those people actually exist? The names of the places became famous with the song as those were oft repeated. Jhumritalaiya was one such place situated somewhere back of the beyond from where avid listeners requested to play certain songs.  Once sis dropped a postcard to AIR (All India Radio) requesting for our favourite songs to be played. We kept on waiting for our names to be announced. Sadly, it never happened. I guess we were more interested to hear our names on the radio than the song itself 😀😀.

My sis said music helped her solve mathematical problems with ease. I always used to get distracted with music though. But I thought she was right because she was my big sister. Sis was a great influencer when I was a child. Whatever she said was the ultimate. I believed her without questioning.  I remember drawing and painting while listening to music. Daydreaming took over studying with or without music.

In later years I have found that music can facilitate finishing boring jobs faster like dusting, cleaning etc. I sometimes play music and hum along while cooking. However, more interesting is to talk to the cats, dogs, birds and bees at the kitchen window. I have a secret conviction that I understand their language and they mine. So we carry on a great conversation without making out what we are talking about. Wish it could be the same with humans. It would save all the bickerings and differences of opinions.

What say you ?