Slow Down

We live in a rapid-transit world.  It’s a rush-rush here and a rush-rush there to get from point A to point B.  We have become so used to everything going faster and faster that we have not learned how to slow down.  We drive cars that go farther and farther on a tank of gas, and yet go faster and faster.

My question is……….when is fast TOO fast?  My answer is………I think we’ve already passed that point.  I get that we do want to pack in as much stuff getting done during a day that we can, but at what cost?  When do we ever take the time to slow down anymore?  Some things are better fast – like communication.  Many people are grateful (me among them) that we can send and receive messages within minutes of tapping out thoughts and feelings on a screen.

Another question…….when is the last time you went for a walk?  Not in a fitness club or on a treadmill at home – I mean a nice, leisurely (or brisk) walk out in the fresh air and sunshine?  For myself, it’s been far too long.  How do I know this?  I know when I climb only three sets of stairs and I get winded……..it’s been FAR too long since I’ve done this.  Yes, I have become as sedentary as many other people.  I so need to change this, and soon.

One of my favorite activities that I used to do was drive to an area of town that had several things to do in it, park, and then walk around from place to place, exploring what was around me to see what I could see.  When I would go to the mall, I would park as far away from the building as I could, and then walk across the parking lot to get to the building.  Now sometimes this would come back to bite me in the hind quarters – especially if it was raining, hailing, or any other sort of inclement weather.  Most of the time, the weather was fine though.  In fact, on the west end of our town, I would ride my bike around, but in today’s world, it just doesn’t seem practical because now you have to worry about someone stealing your front tire – or your back tire – or even your SEAT!  Can you believe someone would steal the seat off of your bike?  Believe it or not, it does happen.  I think this is why I would opt to walk rather than ride bike.

I think that is one plus of the cellular age – people can still speak to one another, even though they are not near a house phone…….only as long as it doesn’t get to be a constant thing.  I don’t want to have to walk around with my phone constantly up to my ear, nor do I want to have a bluetooth thingie jabbed into my ear so I can talk to someone hands-free.  Every once in a while is fine though.  I can take a break, sit down, and have a nice chat with someone.  After all….it would slow me down from what I was doing so I can do that…..and that’s not such a bad thing.