| The chattering monkeys often (usually!) just don’t
want to shut up. I’ll start saying a lick and next thing you know, it's rut time
again, and I realize I’m back in my normal multi-task thinking, zig-zagging through
my standard set of concerns. Obviously, the old religions around the world encountered a
similar problem and came up with various versions of "prayer" beads. Not only do
they help you keep track of the number of repetitions. They also remind you that
you’re supposed to be doing something with you mind other than planning the next meal
of the next corporate takeover.
Try beads. Maybe they’ll work for you. I found a simpler method, using fingers.
First lick: forefinger against thumb. Second lick, thumb against forefinger. Third lick,
thumb against middle finger, and so on.
Not only does it help you keep track of the number of repetitions.
The tiny bit of body involvement also acts sort in a string-around-the-finger way. Maybe
in the middle of the third repetition, your mind drifts off into a bit of road rage you
experienced earlier in the day and you're really getting into re-playing the event with
variations, and suddenly you notice your thumb is strangely lodged against your middle
finger. Aha! You were doing a saltlick! And so you go back into the third repetition.
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