“Gently stop. The meaning of it all is never found at the end, but only along the way.”
Steven Charleston
Charleston is speaking here to those of us who are hurrying to catch the train of time. Multitaskers, speed dialers, and life racers. Which, sadly, would describe many of us. He is on the same page as one of my old friends, who used to remind me that it’s always right now.
I suspect that most of you, like me, have a strong dislike for waiting in line and being put on hold. We have a to do list of things that are very important, at least in our own minds, and this waiting business is a waste of our time.
Maybe not. Depends on us. We can fret about it, or find another focus. What is going on right now? Can you smell the soup simmering on the stove? Is there a meadowlark singing? Better make a note to call that friend whose birthday is tomorrow. Maybe you were given this opportunity of waiting as a rest stop.
Most of us who have accumulated a span of years can look back and realize what we missed when it was going on because we were too busy fretting about what needed attention next. Meanwhile, the kids grew up right under our noses. Wrinkles appeared, hair turned gray or disappeared, and people whom we should have hugged more often are not around anymore.
There’s a balance between having life goals and being present for life as it occurs. If we are telling ourselves that we will be happy when we can own a home, get a different job, or find the right partner, we are putting life on hold. Actually, what we are doing is giving our life away.
We can take steps to meet those goals and still have a life right now. Build a cushion of savings toward the house you will own someday. Forego any unnecessary spending and simplify your calendar. But allow yourself time for a birthday celebration and a Sunday fishing trip with the kids. If you want a different job, then begin sharpening skills that will make you attractive to future employers. It’s been said that if we want certain qualities in a life partner then we need to become that kind of person.
We forget we have choices. We look for the bolt of lightning awareness that will put our world in order, and forget to look at the meaning of each small gift along the way. Abraham Lincoln is credited with saying that most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be. Whether he actually said it isn’t important. What is important is that we make up our minds to be happy right now and look for the meaning of what’s staring us in the face.
Meet me here next week and meanwhile, do your best to gently stop. Somebody might like it.