Have you ever noticed how everything in our society seems to be running at warp speed? Everything that has the word "faster" seems to also imply better. Is that really true?
Let's take a look. We have instant food, the kind that microwaves produce. We have instant messaging, texting and instant access to any type of information we might need through amazing search engines. We get inundated with commercials saying we can get "instant credit" or "buy now, but don't pay for a year," "quick ways to lose weight" and "get in shape with only seven minutes a day of exercising," etc.
So if we have access to so many time-saving shortcuts, how come we still feel like we don't have enough time to get things done? Why are we so constantly stressed out as a society? Is faster always better and does it bring us more happiness?
The world of "instantly" certainly has made certain aspects of our lives more convenient. I remember when I had to write a report in school, I'd have to catch a ride to the library and do a whole bunch of research just to find out which books I had to check out. Then I had to get back home and spend countless hours going over these books in order to get the specific information needed in order to write my report. A lot of times I went to bed way past midnight, tired and stressed. Today, I see my kids google everything under the sun in an instant. How envious I am that they seem to have it so easy.
On the other hand, I see the things that take a while to unfold or develop as having a more meaningful impact. Over spring break, we had an opportunity to spend some time in Hawaii. Every day we'd gather together and watch the sun going down. There was no remote control or click of a button that could make the sun go down faster, and I'm so glad for that. The peace, serenity and beauty that unfolded each day was magical. So many people stopped everything they were doing just to watch an event that has taken place every day since the creation of time.
Nature doesn't answer to our impatient demands that she should hurry along. Each day will last 24 hours. The sun will rise and fall at its established time, regardless of our schedules. Even as we speak, the volcano in Iceland continues to spew ash across the skies of Europe and thereby grounding tens of thousands of flights. At an estimated $200 million loss each day, the airlines are in a panic mode. But guess what? The volcano will continue to do its thing, oblivious to the rest of humanity.
The most important and meaningful things in our lives usually take time to develop, whether it's our testimonies, our loving relationships or even progress in our imperfections. Can we find inner peace and accept that some things will take their sweet time to unfold? I hope we can all slow down our lives enough to fully embrace the process that makes us who we are.
It's been said that patience is a virtue, but nobody has time for it. Let's make a personal commitment to live a little more in the present and enjoy each moment as it unfolds.
The unending beauty in nature is waiting for us to notice.