When I was a little girl this song came on the radio:
“I’m in a hurry to get things done
Oh, I rush and rush until life’s no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
Even I’m in a hurry and don’t know why”
I’m In a Hurry, by Alabama.
I knew it well.
I turned to my mom and told her that it reminded me of her. Today, she tells me that my comment made her sad. A mother’s guilt!
I was a sensitive girl, particularly sensitive to my environment and I remember hating the feeling of being rushed. Both of my parents were working full times careers once my sister and I started school and I our days (mornings in particular) were very busy, stressed and rushed. It felt we had no
time to actually live, that we were so anxious to get on with whatever we had to do, that we have no time for relationships or community or rest – all of the most nourishing things in life.
This is by no means an uncommon phenomena. It’s often referred to as “hurry sickness”. In a culture where we are rewarded for keeping busy, it’s hard not to live this way.
But it robs us of potential depth, joy discernment when we are rushing through life on autopilot.
I believe people do this because they are running away from aches and fears, from ourselves, and from God.
The practice of savoring our experiences — slowing down to smell the roses – means seeing more clearly, listening more carefully, and thinking more deeply.
I hope this week, especially during the rush of Black Friday and the holidays we can all slow down, breath and enjoy the present moment with ourselves, with God, and with each other.
B 🤍