Do you ever have the sense that life is moving past you in a blur of unrelenting activity? Honestly, I don't know where the time goes. I visited with my brother by telephone yesterday and he shared similar thoughts. It appears that we are both on the "fast track" and seemingly there are not enough hours in the day.
So, is that what we tell ourselves to placate the guilt for not being as attentive as we need or even want to be to the people in our lives that mean the most? I think it is a question that has merit.
This morning I looked through a file drawer with the intent of tossing files. We have three filing cabinets. The thought of purging all three cabinets is overwhelming. This morning I thought I'd focus only on one drawer.
Two things got in my way. First, because of identifying information, some of the content of medical and insurance records has identifying information that should be shredded instead of being tossed. Prudent judgement suggests you not throw caution to the wind by putting everything in the trash.
Secondly, some of the contents in my files are things I've written out of a desire to preserve and chronicle my thoughts. Nothing I've ever written is rocket science and for the most part would have no interest to anyone else. Yet, I didn't toss any of it this morning. I figured if it was important enough for me to write it down, perhaps parting with it might be a mistake.
My family will tell you that I'm weird. One of my all-time favorite movies is "Remains of the Day." The movie is the story of a "workaholic" older English butler who invested his life managing the household of his employer.
In the process of his employment, he gave top priority to work-related tasks and failed to successfully manage the relationship-building dimension of his personal life. The movie is basically an overview of the butler looking back over his life and reflecting on misplaced priorities. I found it extremely thought provoking and interesting. Perhaps to some extent, his story is my story.
What about you, do your ever find the time to read a book, listen to music, visit with friends, enjoy the outdoors and the sounds of nature? Somehow for most of us, life gets lost in living and like the sands of an hourglass, it seems to move way too quickly.
In one of his books, John Ogilvie reached out to Dallas Willard for thoughts on how he could be a better pastor. Willard told him to eliminate hurry from his life. Ogilvie pushed for more. What else should he do to improve on what he was doing? Willard responded that's it; eliminate hurry from your life.
At some level it really is true – the only time we have is now and the only place we have is here. We make the most of it when we eliminate hurry from our life. I say that with one disclaimer: There are some exceptions. When the General suggests that I do this or that, it would serve me well to not put off until tomorrow on what I can do today.
All My Best!
Don
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