I was thinking a lot today about slowing down everything we do in our lives. We live in such a fast paced environment which can lead to accidents, unfinished products, ideas that are not fully though out, etc.
Sometimes we move so fast because we need to. Other-times we do it because we think that’s what we’re supposed to do.
Here’s a few examples:
– I see car accidents in my neighborhood almost daily. One time a lady was actually run over and killed (true story). I think if people asked themselves “do I really need to drive this fast?” that many of these accidents could be prevented just by being more aware of others and slowing down.
– How many of you have had business ideas that you thought was a great idea? I do this all the time. I have a great idea, and then the next day I’ll be on to something else. I don’t give myself the time for my idea to marinade and following through on these ideas almost never happens. Since there is pressure to make money a lot of good ideas that would take time to develop go to waste since they are not immediate money makers (and who has the time not to make money?). I’ve never heard of an app that took 15 years or more to make but a 15 year old whiskey is better than a 5 year whiskey. Get my point?
-Â During the school year I wake up at 6:30am 5 days a week after getting home from work at 12:30pm and I rush to drop off my kids at school and my wife at work. Then, in the afternoon at 12:45pm or 1:30pm (yes kids here have basically a half a day of school as the normal school day unless you pay more to keep your kid later which we do not) I rush to pick everyone up from school and work. Then I rush off to work. Then I rush home to try and fall asleep so I can wake up again the next day at 6:30am.
There has to be a better, less stressful, less rushed way to do this and get through the day with ones sanity and physical well-being intact.
My point is I think we’d all benefit a little bit, we’d be less stressed, we’d think a little clearer, we’d follow through on more ideas if we all just slowed down.
For the readers who keep Shabbat, I’m sure you’ll say “that’s what Shabbat is for.” But what about the rest of the week? Is it OK to run around like a chicken with it’s head cut off 6 days of the week? I’m not convinced.
There must be a better way.