A Tortoise Kind of Life is the Life for Me

 As I've observed the world, I've often said restaurant tables are made for a certain number of people (booths are great for 2 and 4, not so great for 3 and 5), clothes are for certain sizes (forget if you're a long-legged or otherwise growing 12 year old with a restricted dress code at school), and there is no such thing as "one-size-fits-all." The world is also set up for mainly the healthy, the smaller, the young, the fast, and the busy. Steve and I recently witnessed a near head-on collision happen right in front of us, as a truck impatiently passed us and three other vehicles on a double yellow line with a curve, making an oncoming jeep drive right off the road. What makes people feel like they have to be in such a hurry all the time? Why is it so hard to be patient? Why do they need to get it now, do it now, hear it now, say it now, feel it now, get there now, have it now, now now now, or else? Believe me, slow feels so much better, even if you have to slow down because your body made you do it. 

Natalie and I had an appointment last week, and as we sat at a fairly quiet rural area stop sign, several cars were just spaced so that I would have had to pull out and accelerate quickly in order to not cause the oncoming car to slow down. I decided to just enjoy the time sitting there, chatting with Natalie at the stop sign. We had enjoyed some time shopping and talking over coffee, and we were in no hurry to get home.  The next thing you know, we hear "BEEP BEEP!!" behind us. You've got to be kidding. So, I "BEEP BEEPed" on back, because I'm the friendly sort, and I decided to believe that the other driver was simply trying to get my attention to say "HOWDY doo, young lady!" Right? Do people not realize that horns are to warn other drivers that we are about to crash, and not to be used as a tool to tell other drivers to move because you're an impatient sod? Or to say "hello" back, in this case. (insert smile and wink) Other drivers don't get to tell us when to pull out, especially in front of other cars. Rule #1  or so in the "Mom's Rule Book of Driver's Education." We only move against our will for Emergency vehicles, rogue idiots, UFOs and animals. Period. Two beeps. Really, Harold? It's not New York City. It was a Thursday in Michigan. I'm having too much fun today. 

 The speed limit went up to 75 awhile ago, and people drive 90 and faster as a rule. Not me, I don't want to wear out my car. It would probably pass out at those speeds anyway. Pass me all you want, just stay away from me with your loony driving. Have you ever seen the TV show, Mythbusters? What's pretty funny is that the people who are passing everyone like they're on their way to the biggest sale at (Who Cares, You Don't Even Need It Store), we always seem to end up at the red light at the SAME TIME. Hello, crazy driver over there on my left, eating that taco.(insert smile here)

As I've gone to different places, I've made key observations of how people move in and out of buildings, parking lots, how they cross streets, shop, and even drive. Yes, the world is not too accommodating for people who need a little extra space, a little extra time, or even a little extra help. Gas stations are often some of the worst places to navigate, and I've said to myself, "If I ever become a bazillionaire, full service stations will come back!" It's tough to think of chronically ill or otherwise ill people coming home from hospitals, or the elderly pumping gas, when it's such a simple service to provide. And a job many used to rely on for income. The world has increasingly become so fast, but our bodies and minds don't continue to speed up. They eventually slow down. We all do. Some of us sooner than we plan. This world we created of fast-Eddie everything will eventually wear us all out! We can't keep up. Sometimes I just long to be a snail, or maybe a tortoise. They always get to take their time, and no one cares at all! 

Jesus replied: "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'. Matthew 22:37-39

 I think of these situations because I live some of these things. I have to plan every outing ahead of time, and prioritize my comings and goings. I may not be large, elderly, or in need of help, but being someone whose health often dictates my abilities, it's always on my mind. It can be very stressful to have an event coming up, because I'm not always at my best, and pushing through it is exhausting. Having a long way to walk or no place to park is a problem when your health is compromised. I love to walk, by the way. At least, I used to.  I used to walk so fast that people couldn't keep up with me- couldn't catch up to me in stores to say hello! (that wasn't deliberate-I was just always on the go!) Sometimes I wonder if having these illnesses was part of my purpose. Was I meant to slow down for a reason? Slowing down makes you think a whole lot about everything. You gain perspective about yourself, others, and life. My afflictions have changed me for sure, but I think they have changed me for the better in many ways. 

 I had an appointment at a large building last week.  It was raining AGAIN, and I had found the rare close parking spot. As I got closer to it, a truck turned the corner from the other side, and I anticipated that if I drove up there, it would be a stand-off for the spot. So, I decided to just pull into a different spot.  I had just been listening to a podcast about MERCY. (insert laughter here) Even though walking can sometimes irritate my own condition, I do it all the time, and there is always someone worse off than me! I said aloud, "You need it more than me, my friend!"

So, fun facts, I tried to pop open my princess pink umbrella, and it looked all crazy because it wouldn't open all the way. I half-considered trying to use it that way and then just tossing it into the bushes, and acting like I didn't know whose insane umbrella was ditched there. But before I could hatch my evil plan, I realized I left  my keys in the ignition. So, as I was trying to manipulate the now-fighting-me umbrella, I realized I couldn't reach my keys without getting back in. I had to figure out how to close the angry umbrella to even get back in the car, retrieve my keys, get back out, then open the back door to see if I had another umbrella. That was a workout in itself.  I found another umbrella, but it was on the passenger side. I couldn't reach it from the driver's side, so, you guessed it, I had to get in again! I was still in a "mercy" mindset, so I was actually laughing at myself through this whole situation, thinking how ridiculous I must look to anyone who may be bored enough to watch.  The good news was that I had forgotten that I had that brand new umbrella, and that's when I found it. I popped open that bright floral umbrella right over my now soaked head, and the people who got that great spot were already in the building. They may have even been laughing at me the whole time. Who knows? Ha Ha What a fun day! 

As we head out and about, we should just be aware of how people move. Be more patient as we drive and park, help someone at the grocery store (at 5'7, I am the one getting the top shelf items for little old ladies), be patient behind the slower people at the stores, on the road, at the doctor's office, everywhere. We are NOT in that big of a hurry, unless we are on fire, bleeding, or in labor. And believe me, I've been in at least two of those situations while riding and driving. It's still better to be patient than not. Of all the impatient people, I think the worst are probably on the roads, and here we all are driving tons and tons of steel killing machines with murderous attitudes behind the wheels. It truly is about being merciful, patient, and understanding that wherever we think is so important to be is probably not. We really don't know who just had a battle with a seemingly cute, sinister umbrella in their car. 

There are people who find it impossible to slow down and enjoy life, and I feel the saddest for them. Life speeds by so quickly because we are running at top speeds to keep up with all these fast things. For some reason, some people equate "fast" with success, but I see "fast" as time stealing away my days, and snatching my experiences and dulling my senses. Sure, you can drive through our woods pretty "fast" driving in the ATV, but you will miss everything. You'll miss the emergence of fiddleheads, the rare lady slipper, the elusive morel mushroom, a sleeping fawn, the shapes the clouds make when the breeze is just right, and the trills and songs of the many kinds of birds, the sounds of your feet on all the different types of terrain. It is heavenly and begs to be noticed and savored! And so do the relationships with your friends, your family, even strangers with sparkling eyes behind counters. Savor all the moments and take as much time as you want and need.  As my dear friend showed me, putting your bare feet in soil can be life-giving even if just for a moment to take time with your Creator. He wants every moment and every minute.  When the Lord "honks", we will be able to hear Him if we are taking time out to listen! 

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3

You can go fast through life, or you can take your time. But your choices will shape you, and I think we are seeing the consequences of a lot of disappointing choices around us these days. We need to take the time to look up, look around, and yes, smell the roses, look into people's eyes when they are speaking to us, and breathe deeply. We don't have to set our pace with the world's pace. We can choose what we engage in and what we leave behind.  We can choose mercy with others or we can choose judgment. A too-busy person has no time for others, and so an overly busy person also has no time for mercy. A person who takes time for others will also take time to put them first. Let's slow things down. If we want better experiences, we have to make better choices with our time. 

And just be kind. It is that simple.  It is true as the saying goes, most people are fighting a battle we know nothing about. Some of us don't even know what our own battles are about, let alone what others are fighting. Let's be kind. 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3,4