Why ZOOM Through Life?
We zip along through life, usually with head down, cellphone glued to our head, and coffee cup in our hand, all the while wishing we were an octopus so we’d have more hands to get more done. Through our minds race the endless lists of what we need to accomplish, what deadlines are coming up, what we have to finish to reach our deadlines, which child has what activities at what time on what days, not to mention the myriad of minutiae that requires our attention and demands our time.
Then there’s the whole traffic issue. Jammed bumper to bumper trying to reach child A to get them to activities 1, 2, 3; and child B to make sure they are at their activities 1, 2, 3; not to mention the gym where we’re expected to put in time and energy, then it’s home to race around to find something to feed the hungry herd, then toddle off to do the 1001 tasks that go into keeping the household running, and at some point we fall into exhausted insomnia as we prepare to do it all over again tomorrow.
Technology was supposed to help us have more “free time” and be able to do more in less time. However, a couple of observations: First, apparently technology allowed us enough free time to make more of us; Second, since we can do more in less time, instead of taking advantage of lowering the stress load, people are expected to increase their work load and actually work longer to get ever more accomplished.
We bounce from activity to activity with increasing velocity, and the only way we know what our family looks like is when they zing through to grab something to eat. Or we might be able to recognize each other from the tops of our heads as we go through life texting, emailing, or otherwise glued to our gadgets.
We take pills to sleep, feeling groggy in the morning, we guzzle strong coffee and energy drinks, and then wonder why we feel stressed?
Let me be clear, this scenario does NOT apply to everyone. But it is a scenario that I’ve witnessed countless times before.
Somewhere along the way, we seem to have run ourselves into a rut that just keeps getting deeper. Why?
Let me ask a question: When you draw your last breath, will you have accomplished everything that was required, or everything that is important?
Slow down and appreciate living! Take time to breathe something besides the fumes of the rat race rats. Stop kissing ass long enough to actually see the sunshine. Pace yourself! You only get this one life, make it worth remembering.
Great reminder!
Thank You! Sometimes we need a poke in the ear as a reminder.
ahhhhh i love my life, it is hectic but in a good way, a way of helping all day and giving time to my monchers. busy isnt a bad thing unless it is all about self!
Busy is good. Idle hands lead to trouble. It’s taking busy to the extreme that generates so much stress. And, after all, we do tend to like going to extremes sometimes.
im too lazy to go to extremes
I’m pretty lazy too. Extremes take too much effort, energy, and concentration. Makes my head feel foggy. DON’T SAY IT!!!
All too true…it’s difficult not to get caught up in the mania sometimes. I try to find time to smell the roses and a good portion of the time, and more and more I find myself doing just that..I have found appreciating the sweetness of life well worth the time.
Great post!
It is in the silence of our slowing down that we can hear our breathing and see how our breathing flutters the petals of the flowers. And we begin to notice the world around us as if were new… All from slowing down just a bit.
So good to hear your voice…and a good one, at that!!
Tah Dah! Still alive, kicking, and thinking.
Couldn’t have said it better myself! Been missing your posts, very happy to see yet another eyeopening and inspirational one from ya!
I need more coffee! Helps the synapses fire a lot faster.
The more technology I have the harder I work.
I get lost in all the gadetry too. I get so confused and befunkled! And reading the “instruction manual” is a lost cause.
Damned skippy! Just one loop ’round on this ride – I mean, assuming the reincarnationists are incorrect – you gotta make it worth your while! Thanks for the reminder =]
Why take the chance on reincarnation? Live THIS life as if it’s all you get. If you get another chance later……fabulous. If not…..you can look back on this one and be happy.
You are right about the paradox of how the more technology we accumulate to save time…the less time we have — all because we find out we can do more with that “saved time”.
We just can’t sit down for a moment! That is so true…. I guess that happens cause we just cant get enough (money for example), and this running all the time has gotten into habit, so now some of us can’t appreciate peace and tranquility, the beauty of nature, peace of mind…
That’s what I’m trying to learn again. I don’t need lots of stuff! Peace and life are far more valuable.