September 19, 2006
Now Let One Thumb Work While the OTHER Slacks Off

My son has been watching the television show "Monk" with keen interest. Monk is a police detective with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), and is constantly figuring out clues by insisting that things be symmetric. And now, I'm even starting to do it.

Why should the right thumb get an easy part while the left thumb does all the work? Now it's time to turn the tables and let that left thumb take it easy for a while. So, put that left thumb on automatic pilot, get into the R-L-R-L groove, and focus your concentration on the moving part of your right thumb.

The goal, of course, is to be able to concentrate on both thumbs at once, so when you can do this exercise, take a mental step back so you can see both thumbs out of your peripheral vision. Don't concentrate too much on either one. They both know what they are doing. Let your mind be the supervisor, relaxing with the knowledge that you have a great team working under you--your left and your right thumbs. Hey, they are the best thumbs you've got!

LISTEN

If you don't have a Treble kalimba, find something that has the same shape as this exercise that sounds nice.