Slow Down You Move Too Fast

Recently, my husband and I watched In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon, a documentary about his life. I am a big fan of this amazing songwriter/musician. At 81 years young, he is still creating music, with his latest endeavor, 7 Psalms, a sermon delivered with his now whisper of a voice. It is amazing how prolific and varied the music genres he explored. Well worth watching if you are a fan. One song that stuck out to me was “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)?” I think it is because the day I had earlier reminded me to slow down.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QwxTXGSLWQ 

It was one of those days that I could easily relate to the White Rabbit. “I’m late, I’m late for a very important date! No time to say ‘hello, goodbye.’ I’m late. I’m late.”

I was in the middle of a project when my husband called me from downstairs. It was time for our daily walk through the neighborhood. Feeling a little frustrated, I answered, asking for just five more minutes. I wrestled with completing it, outlining what still needed to be done, and rushed down the stairs. With the project still whirling around my mind, I stopped when we discovered a young rabbit by the side of our driveway, nibbling on some grass that poked through the asphalt. The rabbit, nonplused about our presence, calmly ate while we watched and took a quiet photo.

It was like a stop sign. Be here now. How often are we so busy that we forget to enjoy our journey? Nature surrounds us with wonder: incredible cloud formations, the instant moment from spring to summer with brilliant flower blossoms, and cheerful bird songs. The lazy days of summer beckons us. Can we learn to bring a little of this into our lives year-round? Breathe.

We know the passage of Martha and Mary, with Martha’s preoccupation that she doesn’t recognize what truly matters, as does her sister. Are we pondering the small joys, like admiring God’s gifts, or focusing on the person before us, in this case, a cute little bunny? Or are we thinking of the next thing to cross off our daily checklist and not truly present?

Are we chasing the White Rabbit, worried about being late, or watching him pass us as we leisurely stroll?

To inspire you more here are some lovely quotes.

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”                                          –Anne Lamott

“It was sunsets that taught me that beauty sometimes only lasts for a couple of moments, and it was sunrises that showed me that all it takes is patience to experience it all over again.”          –A.J. Lawless

“We’re a species that rushes through everything, then complains that time flies.”                                           –Steve Maraboli

“There is only today, with holes in our pockets, with time spilling out. We cannot keep it for tomorrow.” –Erin Loechner

“Once she stopped rushing through life, she was amazed how much more life she had time for. –Unknown

I hope you’re humming “Ba da-da da-da da-da…… “

Feeling groovy?

Happy Spring!