Does it sometimes seem to you that everyone is in a hurry to get to the next thing? Hurry up so you can get it over with so you can move on and hurry up again. We find ourselves moving through life at such a fast pace we hardly have time to enjoy it.
* This post is an update from my former blog originally published in 2015.*
Hurry Causes Stress
When I was young, some of the adults in my life thought I was too slow. I wondered what was the hurry. I liked to take my time, but they wanted me to get things done faster.
At college with my job in the cafeteria, they were always trying to figure out how to be more efficient. It was all about how to do everything faster, a race to see how much time could be saved. The problem was that too much emphasis was put on performance almost to the point of treating people as machines.
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of running around feeling stressed or doing things to try to please everybody.
What if we decide to slow down?
Rather than rushing through our tasks why don’t we learn to enjoy each step?
Rather than scheduling our lives so we have to keep moving, why not eliminate some things to slow the pace a little?
Why is it so hard to take things a little slower?
Are we afraid of what we might find if we actually took time to stop, to think, to question, to address our deepest desires or fears?
Have we forgotten how to slow ourselves?
Are we so used to the fast pace that we think we are wasting time if we slow down?
When we pause for a break do we feel guilty, like we should be doing something?
If we deviate from our everyday routines, are we afraid of getting behind?
What would be the advantage of slowing down?
Stop and Re-evaluate
Instead of an endless cycle making us feel stuck, why don’t we stop and reevaluate our situations? We obviously can’t change everything, but we could find ways to make our lives more enjoyable.
We could eliminate unnecessary activities. I know that I sometimes spend too much time on social media. I could limit the time there and use it to create art or sit outside and relax a few minutes.
We could intentionally go through our days choosing to slow down enough to notice things, to interact more with our surroundings, to see the beauty that might otherwise be hidden.
As we do this we could practice gratitude.
We could say aloud our praise to God or even burst into song! If that isn’t possible, we could simply thank Him in our hearts for the little things as well as the bigger, more obvious blessings.
What about you? What is one thing you can do to slow down and make your day more enjoyable?
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
I am linking up with: #FreshMarketFriday, #Grace&Truth
Love this! You’re exactly right! I think people are afraid to stop and think and reflect. Let’s do this! I need to start noticing the things around me and being grateful!
Yes, let’s start intentionally looking for things to be grateful for each day. 🙂 Blessings to you! Thank you for visiting. Have a wonderful Sunday.
Thank you for re-posting this Gayl! There are so many times that I have resented my slowed-down way of living these past few years, and yet God has been so merciful to show me the beauty that I was missing when I lived in the fast lane. I needed this fresh reminder today, Dear Friend! I love the photos from your property that you have shared here too! Love & Hugs & Blessings! xo
When you’ve been busy for so long, it’s hard to learn to slow down. Even when we are forced to slow down it can be hard. But there is so much more we see when we learn to live slower. I’m glad this reminder encouraged you, dear Bettie. And I’m happy you enjoyed the photos, too. Love, hugs and blessings to you, too, dear sister! xoxo