Moving at Speed
Everyone’s obsessed with speed
As though it were a grail,
But give the people what they need—
Not what they want—and they’ll
Discover much to their surprise
Alternative delights
That come in the more subtle guise
Of leisured days and nights
And find at last that racing lacks
The lure of lying low,
Avoiding rampant heart attacks—
Instead, loving the slow,
The thoughtful, easeful lassitude
Of living at snail’s pace,
And savoring those motes of joy
Bypassed by those who race
Nearly Endless Cycles
We pedal around at a furious rate
Just as though we’d outrun finitude, death and fate
But the truth of the matter, however we flee,
Is we’ll all still die off—that guy there, you, and me.
Art-Colored Glasses 
A mirror of my early morning rides on the bicycle, commuter type with panniers for groceries if I am so inclined….I see the mad rush out of my village at break neck speed to their “jobs” in downtown Houston. I feel the cool air, the scents of the woods, the birds and enjoy my pace…..not theirs. I smile, and sip my morning dark roast and watch …….. all of the poor souls in such a hurry and for what…?
Clearly you *do* get it! I’ve considered putting panniers on my bike, but since it’s too hot for an outdoor bike here in my book and I just ride our stationary bicycle, perhaps panniers would come across as overly optimistic. Somehow the whole concept of a bike that goes nowhere suits my whole sense of wishing to slow life down a bit anyhow! 😉
I have found it very challenging to slow down… and it’s taken me three years to embrace being at home, working at home, and taking the time to enjoy all the joy that brings. *Smile* I still feel guilty sometimes that I’m not racing around getting as much squeezed in to a minute that is more than humanly possible. *Grin* I love “My Heart Is Racing” and the art pictures… if you can slow your heart down to enjoy the beauty of a moment, no matter your environment and circumstances, then your mind follows and you discover those “motes of joy”. Thank-you so much for sharing this today. We are all good here, and I’m enjoying a much later than usual Autumn morning having snuggled under the covers until 8:00am (as opposed to our normal 5:00 or 6:00am start). *Smile* Autumn is meandering in with fingers of Winter poking through the days and tendrils of summer evening the score, so I hope spring is proving as interesting for you. *Huggs* Mands
Never, ever feel guilty for living life to its fullest, even if it means some supposedly important stuff remains un-done. After all, if the world ends as a result of the not doing, why then we won’t be around to care about it any more! And if, on the contrary, the world keeps spinning, that’s not only proof that the tasks weren’t so essential after all but probably means our time better spent reading, hugging our friends, and watching the seasons change has simply made us fitter for loving those around us and doing what *does* really matter.
Big hugs right back to you, my dearest!
Kathryn
Oh I agree whole heartedly! *Grin* I’m doing less chores (getting wiser in the way I do them, and of course I have help which I am very grateful for )… and I am doing those things that are more important. I’m discovering that there are right choices, and good choices and then there are better choices… Thankfully, I’m learning that when I’m not too old to appreciate the difference. *Smile* Have a smiling spring day… *Huggs* Mands
PS… just to prove I’m learning the benefits of slowing down… I stayed in bed this morning to rest… while helping my daughter with her first lesson of the day, and then knitting some squares for a baby blanket I’m making… so that I will be fully rested to go to a American singing and dancing production tonight! *Grin* I’m taking my three children – I believe it’s their first. LOL
Morning Kathryn, I’ve often thought we should start a slow movement, along similar lines to the slow food movement, I’d also like a quiet movement too 🙂
In th emeantime I’d be happy to have some motes of joy.
When you come for a visit, we shall be sure to enjoy the time as slowly and gladly as we can! I’ll sign up for your Slow Movement any time, as long as I don’t have to hurry to do it. 😉
I think you’ve got it. The frenetic busyness and seeking of pleasure is a way to medicate ourselves against the thought of dying. Instead of preparing for it, many try to ignore it. Good ones.
Thank you kindly, dear Dennis.
I totally agree. Each summer we live at a snails pace. Sitting in an Adirondack chair on the dock while reading a good book. I feel a little guilty the first week…thinking I should be busy doing something. But then I realize that I am doing something. I’m restoring my mind and body.
And what could possibly be more meaningful and purposeful than renewal? Good on you indeed!
xo
You’re preaching to the choir, Kathryn. Once I could no longer work, my Life took an about-face and I slowed down its tempo quite a bit. I no longer feel like I need to stop and catch my breath. I realize my situation is rather unique and I’m very grateful. I’d go on but I my mid-morning nap time is approaching …
You are ever so right. And I take no offense at your need to hie off for naptime–I do believe I should be heading off to sleep myself, right now . . . Good Night!
I really enjoy reading you. I just nominated you for ”ONE LOVELY BLOG AWARD”. Congratulations and have fun!
All nominees win!
Thank you ever so much, Dr Dan! I am grateful to be in your illustrious company and will respond shortly.
Hear! Here!
I say, let us all leave the rat race behind us once in a while and take a nice little catnap together!
So agree, and enjoyed these! Everyone running and spinning and trying to keep up to get somewhere they think they have ‘to get’, missing the inbetweens of the moments that hold all they need to have and know.
Isn’t that just the thing! At high speed, how are we to notice wonderful small stuff as we tear on by it!