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“Life is too short to rush.” This mantra, adopted from a Tara Brach lecture, keeps me grounded— WHEN I remember to keep it at top of mind.
This concept came up several times over the last couple of days. The first was on Sunday, when I shared the sentiment with Stanley, my father. His slightly indignant, reflexive reaction was, “I have a lot to do”. This, coming from an octogenarian who still looks forward to working each day!
It would appear that I come by my proclivity toward productivity rather honestly. And yet, I continue to insist that when we rush, we’re actually missing out on life. The state of being "busy" can fog our brains. We can’t think clearly, since the brain interprets busy-ness as scarcity of time. Being busy becomes an addiction, as illustrated so beautifully in the enchanting book, Momo by Michael Ende. The more we rush, the more we feel like we have to rush.
Why is this a big deal?
When we operate from the posture of “I have a lot to do”, we can miss the nuance of what we’re doing. This can mean enjoying the aroma of your morning coffee, or feeling the energetic shift when a client answers a question that opens her up to possibility, or admiring the full moon hiding plainly in sight of everyone scurrying along Sixth Avenue at Bryant Park.
When we rush, we miss awe-inspiring details that make life utterly delightful and meaningful. “I’m skimming over life and racing to the finish line: death”, quotes Tara Brach of one of her students.
The thing is, we don’t know where that finish line lies. For instance: Yesterday I awoke to a message from one of my C-IQ sisters. A friend of hers for 30 years had just passed away. The woman was young, and her death was unexpected. Three weeks ago, all was fine. Now, she’s gone.
This is why I invite you to embrace with me the opportunity we have to live each day as if it’s our last.
My challenge to you is to be intentional about what’s MOST IMPORTANT for you to attend to today. Then, go about noticing the tiny gifts the day offers, like the smile on the faces of those you love, and the satisfying quench of the water you consume between calls. Take a minute to do some belly breathing before you engage in focused work. Appreciate the strength of each breath you take.
Every day, everyday life is beautiful. How many ways can you find beauty today?
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