“We would do well to slow down a little, focus on the significant and truly see the things that matter most.”
Dieter Uchtdorf
I had never heard of Dieter Uchtdorf but ran across this quote and looked him up. He has had a significant leadership position in the LDS/Mormon Church, primarily in Germany. I know little about him or the Mormon faith, but I know the truth and challenge of his words.
Slowing down in a fast-paced environment……
When was the last time you felt no hurry in doing something? If you’re like me, it’s probably been a while. We’re in a rush at work, at home and, at times, even in a rush when we’re having fun or trying to go to sleep! A USA Today national survey revealed that most Americans feel they are busier this year than last year and were busier last year than the year before!
Ironically, in a world of microwave ovens, wrinkle-resistant clothes and robot vacuums designed to increase our “free time,” we feel less of it.
We even now have a new diagnostic description: “Hurry Sickness: A behavioral pattern characterized by continual rushing and anxiousness; an overwhelming and continual sense of urgency. The person feels chronically short of time and so tends to perform every task faster and to get flustered when encountering any delay.” (Psychology Today, 2013). The “sickness,” of course, takes the form of various maladies arising from chronic stress. Eventually, whether it is physically, mentally and/or emotionally, we break down.
The remedy? Consciously force yourself to slow down…. literally! Walk half the pace you normally do (the building is not on fire!) Leave a little earlier and drive a little slower. Try leaving your watch at home one day and see what happens…I might even suggest leaving your cell phone at home, but I know I’m pushing the limits there! Consider doing less rather than more and practice saying “no,” politely, of course. (Add “do less, breathe more” to your “to do” list.) The key, ultimately, is self-awareness and perspective. “Why am I in such a rush, how important is this, really, and what is the impact on my overall wellbeing”?
Focus on the significant and what matters most
It is my experience that as we get older (hopefully wiser), we begin to recognize that while what we accomplish can be satisfying, our relationships are truly the measurement of a life well-lived.
I remember the “viewing” at the funeral home when my mother died at 93. Family and friends reminisced over our memories of her love of life, her “never met a stranger” connection with others and her desire to explore new places and activities well into her 80’s. We remembered her smile, her devotion to her (difficult) marriage, and her closeness with her sister throughout her life. We did not talk about what she accomplished, the size of her house or type of her car, where she worked or her bank account. We spoke of how she loved her yard and could make anything grow; how she liked pound cake with a bit of vanilla ice cream on the top and loved a good nap in the middle of the day.
Life can seem, and frequently is, complex. We are pressured, hurried, and some things have to get done. But there is undoubtedly a need to keep it all in perspective. Life passes very quickly (especially, it seems, as we get older), and, in time, we are all forced to slow down. Hopefully, before that time, we can exercise the focus that Dieter Uchtdorf references and remember the importance of simple pleasures and the people we love.
Need a place to “tune-up” your perspective? Methodist Healthcare EAP provides a confidential, easily accessible and affordable (free!) outlet for counseling assistance. We’re a simple call away at 901-683-5658 for you and others in your home.
Wayne Hyatt received a master’s degree in counseling from Memphis State University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP) and a Certified Substance Abuse Professional. He has experience in both clinical and administrative positions in behavioral health.