“There is more to life than increasing it’s speed.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Doing things quickly is not the problem, doing things so quickly that we are not present creates resistance to what we are attempting to do. Attention can be extremely focused at high speeds. Ask any athlete.
But I think what Gandhi is pointing to is a deeper issue. Wanting whatever your doing right now to hurry along so you can get to the next thing. Like a young child who wants to go to bed early so tomorrow will come. I know when I’m in that mode I miss almost everything that is happening in front of me and usually end up frustrated about what I am attempting to do in natural time.
Sometimes I’m doing a task that I (Socially Conditioned Personality) don’t want to do. So, I’m not there for it, I start zooming into the next thing as though the task is over. You can imagine what happens to the quality of the task I’m doing! Like and dislike has very little to do with living life. All things rise and fall whether I like them or not. What’s important is to bring attention and presence to every moment I can.
On a very serious level we only have so much time. We talk about “spending” it but we aren’t spending it at all. We are using our time to experience whatever life unfolds directly in front of us. In reality, because future is unknown and the amount of time left is a mystery, I don’t fanaticize about having time to engage in life later, nor do I worry about running out of time, what will be will be. But I am very focused on engaging with every moment I can and embracing the exquisite nature of each moment.
Every action is the first and last action of it’s kind. Every moment when it comes to living has as much value as the next. When you find yourself rushing your life’s time, STOP. Just stop. Look around, stretch, go back into the breathing cycle, in/out/in/out, slowly and with intent. What you are able to do right now is precious, things change, things happen, we don’t control this place.
Lock into the moment you have, the ones we expect next are a mystery and no one knows the future.
Smile a little and engage in this moment. I think it you will see a difference in the quality of life.
Be good to you, you are the only one of you there is!
Bryan Wagner
Good points as usual! This is exactly what I am trying to achieve, since I noticed a lot of tension in my body when I rush. Silence is more productive.
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Thank you!
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Great thoughts Bryan! We have limited time and choosing how we spend it is critical. Indeed we can do thing quickly and efficiently and still stay present depending on where our intention lies. ❤️ Cindy
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Thank you!
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The last line, touched me so much. My father is dying in the hospital right now. I’m here as both a healer and a family member. There’s a lot to feel, face and process. Lately I find myself holding my breath and rushing through things I usually wouldn’t. That’s when I step back and allow myself to feel the pain, cry and release. It’s always a deeper layer we’re being asked to investigate and feel. It’s all a huge lesson and a blessing. Your post reminded me to slow down, feel and breathe. Thank you my friend🙏
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Your welcome. I honor what you’re doing and am sad about the bitter part of bittersweet. I believe that if we aren’t here to experience the ghosts of memory will haunt us because we were not there to complete the circle. You are more than up to your life’s experiences. Take care of you. You are needed. I will place your father on my list for meditation in the mornings.
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Thank you my friend, I so deeply appreciate that. He is so strong. He gave us all such a wonderful life. I’ve been privy to this information for months now so I can help ease my family’s needs and help my Dad to pass over peacefully 🙏 your words make me 😊
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