SLOW DOWN

It’s hard not to rush through life when you’re in the working world. Everything around you moves so fast… there’s phone calls to take, emails to return, clients who want things yesterday. God forbid someone should enjoy a moment to simply breathe. I remember living in that environment. My Mom was terminally ill at the time and she would tell me I needed to slow down. All around her, she watched the world rush by, many never noticing the moments slipping away; opportunities to embrace their loved ones, that wouldn’t come again. How difficult it must have been for her to be sitting still, watching, knowing the end was in sight and not being able to warn everyone that this lifetime is short. When we don’t take time to notice, years fly by and our end comes before we’ve ever begun to fully live.

It’s the same tale that happens everyday. We think success is a large sum of money, a huge house, people that love us. Is it? Truly one of the greatest gifts we can have is time. Time to take that walk with a loved one, time to see your baby smile for the first time, time to notice the people around you who need your full attention before it’s too late. Those moments are fulfilling. They leave a lasting footprint on your heart and the lives of those with whom you were fully present. To them, our time is a gift. And like all amazing gifts given to others, the smile on the face of the receiver can’t help but warm the heart of the giver.

I’m not quite sure when my life went from overdrive to a pace that is calm, with time to give thanks to our Creator for everything He has provided. What I recognized tonight was that I was there. I had made the transition and while my Mom is no longer here to tell people to slow down, I still am. So, I want to invite you to join me. Ask yourself, when was the last time you lifted your child up into your arms and sat outside gazing at the stars together, listening to their little voice tell you what’s really inside their head? Or when was the last time you called your Mom and said, “I love you.” If it takes you awhile to remember the answer to either of those questions, decide today that you’re going to start making time for the things that matter because until you do, there will never be enough time.

#parenting #makingtime #timeisprecious #slowdown #importantthingsinlife #momhandbook #kistproductions #bkist