Unhappy thoUghts

M ULTI -TASKING IS Le SS , NOT MOR e, IN Te RMS OF HAPPIN e SS

This article is about 650 words long. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to read to the end in one sitting without having your mind wander off once to Alberta or to Albertsons or to your son’s algebra exam. Ready? Go.

Our minds are miracles of their Maker. They are capable of doing many things at once, processing incredible amounts of information in nanoseconds and making complex calculations effortlessly. They are also capable of concentrating on one thing at a time. We are getting better at the former and worse at the latter. And we are worse off for it.

Artful Choice blogger Maria Konnikova reports in a recent study by Harvard University, researchers “found that people think about something other than what they’re doing about as often as they think about what they are doing — 46.9 percent of the time. Not only that, but what they are actually doing doesn’t seem to make a difference; minds wander about equally in all of the 22 surveyed activities (with one exception: making love. At least there’s that!).

And finally, the crucial point: People are less happy, no matter the activity, when their mind is wandering than when it isn’t — even if the things they are thinking about are pleasant. Furthermore, according to time-lag analyses of the data, mind-wandering seems to be the cause, and not the result, of unhappiness.”

Psychology and religion agree that mindfulness and happiness go hand in hand. Being fully present in the moment is being fully awake to life.

Technology is a wonderful tool but a cruel master. When my iPhone controls me instead of I my iPhone, I have gone AWOL from life. My wife wonders whether I have said my vows to her or to it. Attending to many relationships at one time virtually can virtually destroy the relationship right in front of you.

Worry is another form of mind-wandering. Worry’s energy comes drifting from the knowable present to the unknowable future. Maybe you have a secret you fear will come out one

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day, or you obsess over whether your retirement funds will hold out or your husband’s love will hold up. It’s hard to focus on the smile of your granddaughter or the smell of gardenias when you walk through your day mentally guarding against and girding for something bad that might happen.

Worry’s energy is like a fossil fuel; it’s exhaustible, and exhausting. It pollutes the air around us as it harms the heart within us. We need a clean and renewable energy source instead.

Mindfulness in the moment allows us to be “here” and not there. It keeps mind and body together. Mind-wandering makes us divided selves — here in body but somewhere else in mind.

The Jesus antidote: “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? ... Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

Striving for the kingdom of God is not another form of worry about the future; it is mindfully attending to the present gift of God’s presence. It tells us to make the most of this time — to receive the day with a grateful heart, and then go about to make the crooked straight and the unlevel plain.

Mind-wandering is mental multitasking, and it’s not all bad. But mindfulness is like a miniSabbath rest that allows us to say thank you to the Giver of all good gifts — including this moment, now.

How did you do? Need to read it again more mindfully? You may be happier if you do.

B apt I st

Forest Meadow / 9150 Church Rd. / Welcoming the mosaic of cultures living in our neighborhoods / www.fmbcdallas.org

Worship 10:50 / Bible Study 9:30 / Tim Ahlen, Pastor / 214.341.9555

LaKesIde BaptIst / 9150 Garland Rd / 214.324.1425

Pastor Jeff Donnell / Worship 10:50 am www.lbcdallas.com wILshIre BaptIst / 4316 Abrams / 214.452.3100

Pastor George A. Mason Ph.D. / Worship 8:30 & 11:00 am

Bible Study 9:40 am / www.wilshirebc.org

BIBL e C hUrC hes

north hIghL ands BIBLe ChUrCh / www.nhbc.net

Sunday: Lifequest (all ages) 9:00 am / Worship 10:30 am

Wed: Student Ministry 7:00 pm / 9626 Church Road / 214.348.9697

dI s CIpL es oF Chr I st

e ast daLL as ChrIstIan ChUrCh / 629 N. Peak Street / 214.824.8185

Sunday School 9:30 am / THe TABLe Worship Gathering 9:30 am

Worship 8:30 & 10:50 am / Rev. Deborah Morgan / www.edcc.org

LU theran

FIrst UnIted LUtheran ChUrCh / 6202 e Mockingbird Ln.

Sunday Worship Service 10:30 am / Call for class schedule. 214.821.5929 / www.dallaslutheran.org

ZIon LUtheran ChUrCh & sChooL / 6121 e Lovers Ln.

Sunday: Sunday School 9:15 am, Worship 8:00 am, 10:30 am, & 6:00 pm / 214.363.1639 / www.ziondallas.org

M ethodI st

LaKe hIghL ands UMC/ 9015 Plano Rd. / 214.348.6600 / lhumc.com

8:30 – Adult Sun. School / 9:30 – Traditional Service & Sun. School ‘A’

10:30 – Fellowship / 10:50 – Contemporary Service & Sun. School ‘B’

non - denoMInat Ion a L

LaKe hIghL ands ChUrCh / 9919 McCree

Sun. Classes 9:30 am, Assembly 11:00 am / 214.348.0460

Home groups meet on weeknights. / lakehighlandschurch.org

p res B yter I an

LaKe hIghL ands presByterIan ChUrCh / 214.348.2133

8525 Audelia Road at NW Hwy. / www.lhpres.org

Christian ed. 9:55 am, 9:00 am Contemporary, 11:00 am Traditional northparK presByterIan ChUrCh / 214.363.5457

9555 N. Central expwy. / www.northparkpres.org

Pastor: Rev. Brent Barry / 8:30 & 11:00 am Sunday Services

Forever Lawn of North Texas opens showroom Lake Highlands resident and owner of Forever Lawn of North Texas , Tom O’Brien, says the 7-year-old Lake Highlands company is growing daily. Offering high-quality, synthetic grass, Forever Lawn of North Texas recently acquired a warehouse on Plano Road for appointment-only showings of its popular products, which include grass for pets, sports, playgrounds, landscaping, golfing or pool areas. “With our product, you don’t have to mow, fertilize, water anything!” O’Brien says. Forever Lawn of North Texas recently completed the rooftop of the Dallas Convention Center and is working on a project with the Winspear Opera House for a life-size chess set area.

The Cake Ball Company debuts new fall flavors

Autumn at The Cake Ball Company means new, rich flavors. The decadent, bite-size desserts now come in s’mores, gingerbread, pumpkin spice and cinnamon streusel. These flavors are only available seasonally. “Our s’mores cake ball is graham cracker cake mixed with marshmallow pieces and chocolate chips, blended with cream cheese icing, then dipped in dark chocolate and topped off with a marshmallow piece,” says owner Robin Ankeny. The renovating, expanding, moving, launching, hosting an event, celebrating an anniversary, offering a special or something else noteworthy? Send the information to livelocal@advocatemag.com or call 214.292.0487. gingerbreadis no less amazing:gingerbread cake with cream cheese icing, dipped in white chocolate, then topped with crushed gingersnap cookies and crystalized ginger.

• The Cake Ball Company, 10230 E. Northwest Highway, 214.559.5788, cakeballs.com

Mariano’s celebrates the Smithsonian with half-price ’ritas

This month marks Mariano’s annual “Smithsonian Frozen Margarita Induction Fiesta,” commemorating the induction of Mariano’s invention into the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of American History. From Oct. 10-16, Mariano’s will introduce its new margarita menu and feature a different signature margarita each day at halfprice. The new menu welcomes the new Burnt Orange Margarita, the Salty Perro Rojo and the Frozen Coronita Rita.

• Mariano’s, 6300 Skillman, 214.691.3888, lahaciendaranch.com

2011 Partners Card

Presented by the Bank of Texas, the 2011 Partners Card is currently available for purchase at partnerscard.org. For the $60 purchase, cardholders receive a 20 percent discount at more than 750 stores and restaurants in the DFW area from Oct. 28–Nov. 6, and 100 percent of proceeds benefit The Family Place and its work toward family violence intervention and prevention. Many Lake Highlands businesses are involved, including Brumley Gardens , T. Hee Greetings & Gifts , The Store in Lake Highlands , Sample House & Candle Shop and more.

More business buzz:

Eat the World presents its “What the @#&*% is a TurDucHen” open house on Oct. 12 from 4-9 p.m. The evening includes samplings of turduchen, fried turkey and other holiday menu items along with sangria and specials. Brumley Gardens is hosting a “Witches’ Night Out” Oct. 27 from 7-9 p.m. Leave the kids at home and enjoy a night full of cocktails, sexy bartenders, music and shopping.

• Eat the World, 8530 Abrams, 214.340.3663, eattheworld.com

• Brumley Gardens, 10540 Church, 214.343.4900, brumleygardens.com cafeteria.com

—Meghan Riney

The lab @ lakewood

5304 Junius St., Dallas, T 75214 / 214.901.4280 / www.thelabdallas.com

The Lab is a fun place for kids to learn about science! Programs include a mix of demonstrations, hands-on experiments and auditory and sensory stimulation in a fun, age-appropriate environment. Servicing all school-aged children, we offer on-site birthday parties, science fair project mentoring, homework help, enrichment classes, school assemblies and Scout programs. Please visit our website for up to date calendar of activities and events, www.thelabdallas.com.

Munger Square Child Care

5302 Junius St / 469.248.2905 / www.mungerchildcare.com Nestled in historic East Dallas, MSCC offers smaller class sizes than most daycare centers for more individualized attention. Infants through preschoolers are treated to a loving, nurturing, safe, clean, esthetically pleasing environment aimed at promoting their physical, emotional, social and intellectual growth. The curriculum includes Spanish offered by experienced, bilingual, caring, competent, teachers, who are also CPR certified. Exercise is promoted with indoor and outdoor activities. Children learn about gardening using the center’s greenhouse. Meals are prepared on site using natural ingredients. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided daily. Open year round, M-F, 7am-6pm.

SCoField ChriSTian SChool

3K through Grade 6 / 214.349.6843 / www.scofieldchristian.org Celebrating 50 years of helping students joyfully reach their academic potential! Scofield alumni are strong individuals who continue to make an impact in their schools, homes, churches and communities. Join us and find out what makes SCS the right school for your family. OPEN HOUSE November 17 8:30 – 9:30am or 6:30 – 7:30pm Find us on facebook for all the latest SCS news.

(Scofield Christian School • Dallas)

ST. ChriSTopher’S MonTeSSori SChool

7900 Lovers Lane / 214.363.9391 / www.stchristophersmontessori.com St. Christopher’s Montessori School has been serving families in the DFW area for over a quarter of a century. We are affiliated with the American Montessori Society and our teachers are certified Montessori instructors. Additionally our staff has obtained other complimentary educational degrees and certifications, including having a registered nurse on staff. Our bright and attractive environment, and highly qualified staff, ensures your child will grow and develop in an educationally sound, AMS certified loving program. Now Enrolling.

ST. john’S epiSCopal SChool

848 Harter Rd., Dallas 75218 / 214.328.9131 / www.stjohnsschool.org Founded in 1953, St. John’s is an independent, co-educational day school for Pre-K through Grade 8. With a tradition for academic excellence, St. John’s programs include a challenging curriculum in a Christian environment along with instruction in the visual and performing arts, Spanish, German, French, and opportunities for athletics and community service. St. John’s goal for its students is to develop a love for learning, service to others, and leadership grounded in love, humility, and wisdom. Accredited by ISAS, SAES, and the Texas Education Agency.

whiTe roCk norTh SChool

9727 White Rock Trail Dallas / 214.348.7410. 2 Years through 5th Grade. 45 years of successful students! Our accelerated curriculum provides opportunity for intellectual and physical development in a loving and nurturing environment. Character-building and civic responsibility are stressed. Facilities include indoor swimming pool, skating rink, updated playground, and state-of-the-art technology lab. Kids Club on the Corner provides meaningful after-school experiences. Summer Camp offers field trips, swimming, and a balance of indoor and outdoor activities designed around fun-filled themes. Accredited by SACS. Call for a tour of the campus. www.WhiteRockNorthSchool.com.

Zion luTheran SChool

6121 E. Lovers Ln. Dallas / 214.363.1630 / www.ziondallas. org Toddler care thru 8th Grade. Serving Dallas for over 58 years offering a quality education in a Christ-centered learning environment. Degreed educators minister to the academic, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of students and their families. Before and after school programs, Extended Care, Parents Day Out, athletics, fine arts, integrated technology, Spanish, outdoor education, Accelerated Reader, advanced math placement, and student government. Accredited by National Lutheran School & Texas District Accreditation Commissions and TANS. Contact Principal Jeff Thorman.

Community

Bishop Lynch high schooL is now accepting vendor applications for its annual Christmas Bazaar set for 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 10 at the school, 9750 Ferguson. Drill team parents host the event, and the registration deadline is Nov. 1. For details, email bishoplynchbrigade@yahoo.com.

The Lake highL ands highL andeTTe driLL Team turns 50 years old this year, and members are planning a variety of events to celebrate. All former Dettes are invited to a reunion barbecue for alumni and their families before the homecoming football game Oct. 7. For tickets and more information, email Susan Bradley at susanpbradley@att.net.

The american ForesTs’ onLine 2011 naTionaL regisTer oF Big Trees has crowned 23 new Texas “big tree champions,” and one of them is the Dallas Arboretum’s Mexican-buckeye tree. The tree has an 11-foot circumference, is 14 feet tall, and has a “crown spread” of 14.5 feet. Average Mexican-buckeye trees are 8 to 12 feet tall, although in rare cases they can grow up to 30 feet, according to the University of Texas at Austin.

Education

Lake highL ands eLemenTary’s Kim Sullivan was named Elementary Principal of the Year by the Excellence in Education Foundation of RISD. Sullivan, who lives in Lake Highlands, says her favorite thing about LH is “the people and the small-town feeling in a big town.” daLL as counTy schooL disTricTs, including Richardson ISD, participate in a program run by Alpha Media that offers school bus advertising to local and national businesses. Companies purchase one ad per bus, which is placed above the windows on either side of the bus or below the windows on the driver’s side, and school districts receive 66 percent of revenue from ad sales.