Hurry up and slow down
The other day, I watched as an older couple leisurely walked up my street. I live on a slight hill, and their pace was slow. I am not sure when this couple started taking daily walks early in the morning, but since then, I have observed them every day.
After watching them disappear around the corner, I went about the hustle and bustle of my usual pre-work routine. We all have them, things we do every day, almost to the point of automation.
Each weekday morning is the same: Take the dog outside (which can take up to a half-hour, depending on how much playing she wants to do!), preparing my coffee, taking vitamins, doing hair, make-up, etc. I’m sure you have a similar morning schedule.
So, when I first spotted this couple slowly mak- ing their way up the hill, I must admit to a pang of jealousy. They have leisure time … someday I’ll have leisure time too. I wish … and with that, I went about my manic morning maintenance.
Nearly an hour later, just as I was getting ready to leave for work, I spotted them coming back down the hill, slowly. I contemplated my morning rush and compared it to their leisurely pace, and again felt that pang of envy. I wish …
Then it hit me. Between where I am and where that older couple is, there is a whole lot of life to live. If I started playing the game of Monopoly and instead of going around the board, I immediately grabbed all the properties and money and claimed victory, would that be fun? Would I feel any sense of satisfaction?
No. Not at all. It is the line that connects point A to point B in each of our lives that is the interesting
bit!
I remember as a teenager, hanging out with my best friend, and plotting what our futures would hold.
“Gee, I wish we were old enough to drive.” Or “Gee, I wish we were done with school!” Or “Gee, I wish we were 21” …
My best friend’s mom used to tell us, “Don’t wish your life away.”
Wise words indeed, though I’m quite sure we didn’t appreciate them at the time.
It is human nature to wish for that next thing. That next level in our lives. But the very best time in your life is now. It is the only time you can do something exciting, different or fun. Make a decision to try something new or improve on something or finish a project. Make now the greatest time.
There will always be great things to look forward
to, of course. But in the meantime, enjoy what’s going on now. Value each moment, we can never get them back. Use them wisely. And sometimes, the best moments are quiet ones, moments that bring us peace. Those are essential, too.
Certainly, the dream of better things keeps us going, but don’t forget to appreciate the now.
Someday I’ll retire, move to a beach town and hopefully enjoy leisure time for hobbies and family. But for now, I enjoy the life that I live, a wonderful family and a job that I love. Through all kinds of moments — good, bad, great and tragic, it’s all wrapped up in a bow and I call it my life. And it’s a gift that I’ll never exchange or take for granted.
So, hurry up and slow down! Appreciate now. You’ll be glad you did.