Slowing Down, to Speed Up
A blog post from JMM Administrative Assistant Ayana Harris.
Scrambling and rushing to get our kids to school on time, sitting in morning traffic for 30 minutes or more, waiting in Chick-fil-A drive-thru line at lunchtime, and anticipating the weekend, is the average working American experience. We live in a society where everyone is pressured to move at a significantly faster pace. So many of our lives are filled with deadlines and excess responsibilities. We have taken for granted small things. Most times are anxious and restless. But this behavior has come to a halt, for a lot of us within a matter of weeks. When going out for essentials, the roads are clearer, most of the parking lots are empty and all of the local restaurants are closed. We are facing some trying times due to the spread of the coronavirus. However, I don’t want to make this post about the virus rather about making this a moment of realization.
As I mentioned earlier, we are a generation of individuals going nowhere fast. We want everything in a blink of an eye and do not take no for answer. In some cases, these can be great qualities. But I think these qualities are most useful for a factory manager. Just kidding! Not so sure if they are good for everyday life. Living expeditiously leads to living an absent life. We are too busy to look our kids in the eye while they talk about their day or to take the time out to play and use our imagination. We are too tired for a movie night with our families. We are in such a hurry that we forget to sit down and eat lunch inside a restaurant and observe our surroundings. We forget to look up at the bright blue sky when sitting in traffic, we forget to relax, and enjoy our favorite songs without obsessing about the clock. We take for granted a mid-week date night with our significant others or friends by being pre-occupied with social media. Most importantly, we forget to pick up the phone and give them a call.
Somehow, I think our wish has been granted but under devastating circumstances. Since we wouldn’t slow down on our own, the universe has forced us to. Maybe it’s a wake-up call. This is an opportunity for everyone to re-evaluate their lives. To take the time to learn a new skill, to bond with our families, to rekindle the fire in our relationship. To do the chore that you have been putting off. To take a deep breath and enjoy life.
Personally, I’ve been taking the time to do a little Feng shui in my own home. I’ve painted my living room a bright happy color. I’ve even allowed my daughter to paint on the wall just for fun. (I was hesitant to let her come near the paint). But that small thing made her feel special. I am reconnecting with the things that bring joy and presence into my life.
When I had the chance, I’ve even re-purposed old furniture from my local thrift shop that happened to be open. So, before we go back to living our normal lives again take in consideration my words. Take time to master something. When you’re home take a moment to do some reading or research another culture that you have always admired. But whatever you do, get lost in it. Try having fun, and not to take things too seriously.
The most interesting thing about us being slowed down is that now we are unable to leave the house at our own leisure. Most stores are closed including craft stores, so this forces us to become more creative with what we have and to appreciate them, right now.
We should be grateful for all we have because it can be taken away from us within a blink of an eye. Let’s recharge and hit the reset button on “for the better.”