In Others’ Words: The Problem of a Fast-Paced Life

I had a lunch date with my husband yesterday. While we were talking, he mentioned the year anniversary of someone coming to work at his office. I stopped him and said, “Has it really been a year? That time went by fast.”

Life moving fast? That happens a lot. 

I start counting down to something special, something weeks or even months away — like a writers conference or visiting a friend in another state or a vacation trip — and when the day arrives, I think, “How did that get here so quickly?”

Or children growing up … that always happens fast. As my oldest daughter likes to say, “Long days, short years.” Yeah, she’s the mom of a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old, so she understands how quickly time passes.

How do we stop life from rushing past us?

For me, it’s about being intentional. Reminding myself that right here, right now is just as valuable as that moment I’m counting down to. I choose not to multitask, but to instead focus on one thing. One person. I turn off the TV because even if it’s just “background noise,” it still intrudes on the time I spend with my family. I silence my cell phone when I’m having a face to face conversation with someone.

Life is both fast-paced and moving past us so quickly … and there’s a difference. The decision is ours to determine our pace. Or not. And to realize who or what we are missing.

In Your Words: When was the last time you realized life “moves pretty fast,” as John Hughes says. How do you ensure that you don’t miss the parts of life you value the most?

In Others\’ Words: The Problem of a Fast-Paced Life http://wp.me/p63waO-2ps #quotes #choices

Click To Tweet

\”Life moves pretty fast; if you don\’t stop and look every once and a while, you could miss it.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2ps #quotes

Click To Tweet