Hurry, Hurry, Hurry!!

It is sad to say, but the title of this blog is how I live my life basically 24-7. I am always rushing from one thing to another, hurrying along because the NEXT thing I am going to is so important. Now, before you cast your judgement upon me and tell me to slow down, smell the roses, all that jazz...think about yourself. If you go to school, how many times do you look at a clock during a single class, wondering how it is that you've been in that class for six hours and yet the minute hand on your watch has only moved five minutes? How many times do you find yourself impatient at a red light, tapping your fingers just waiting for the light to turn green? When you're in a grocery store, do you leisurely walk through the aisles, or are you planning in your head the fastest way to get out of the store? I am guilty of all of these on a regular basis. Now, I realize there are people that don't struggle with this. So, if you are one of those people you can stop reading now. But, if you are like me and find yourself constantly rushing and hurrying, I may have some thoughts that can change your mind about this.

I didn't realize that this was a problem until very recently. The first wake up call I had happened the other day at Wal-Mart. It was very crowded that day, and the aisle that Evan and I were shopping in was crammed with people. He left to get something farther down the aisle because my cart couldn't fit through everyone. I realized an older lady was waiting to get an item my cart was blocking. As I start to apologize and attempt to move my cart, she reached out her hand to stop me and said "Honey, it is fine. I am in absolutely no hurry at all."

Those 12 simple words struck me silent.

If I could find this lady and thank her for her words, I would. She probably doesn't remember saying them, but they have left a profound impact on me. She has it figured out. At that moment, I didn't need to be rushing. There was nothing else I had to do that day. How often have I been stressed and trying to hurry to do something, when it didn't need to be done in a hurry?

The second thing that happened was something that I read on Evan's mom's facbeook wall. She always posts such positive stories, updates, etc. They always encourage me, but this one challenged me in a way that equaled the lady in Wal-Mart. Please please PLEASE take the time to read this. I realize it's long, but hopefully it will have the same impact on you that it did on me. This is the story that she posted-

 A NYC Taxi driver wrote:

I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard
box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.'

'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly..

'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice.

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice..'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired.Let's go now'.
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.
They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.She held onto me tightly.

'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut.It was the sound of the closing of a life..

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk.What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.


~~~~~~~~~~
Wow. When I read this, I realized that something in my life needed to change. I was saddened by the thought of how many beautiful, wonderful moments I may have missed because I was rushing from place to place.

My encouragement to you is this. It is easy on the surface, but much more difficult to execute.

Walk slower. Talk to strangers in the store. Stop looking at your watch in class (how many would jump at the opportunity to be in the classes that we are in, yet we take it for granted). Relax. Read a book. Drink some tea on your porch. Remind yourself that life is not a race, but a series of beautiful moments that can easily be missed if the time is not taken to look for them.

I hope that you have been challenged by this. I wish you all a wonderful, wonderful weekend.

Be salt and light!!
~Hannah~