Slow Down Your Pace
The greatest malady of modern life is that man permanently seems to be on a treadmill. He is on the move all the time, running and still in the same place. The tremendous physical and material progress that man has made, are of no value to him, unless he cultivates the right attitude of mind
Truly has it been said that modern man is so busy earning a living that he has no time left to live.
Fast, faster, fastest! We want everything instantly. We have fast food, fast cars, instant messaging, lightning trunk calls, nonstop flights, speed dialling - short cuts for everything. We beat the red signal at traffic lights; we overtake others at great risk to ourselves; we simply cannot bear to wait!
Where is all this hurry taking us? Why are we hurtling at such breakneck speed? I must remind you of one of the golden, old proverbs which characterised life in the good old days: Slow and steady wins the race.
I wonder how many of you believe in its efficacy, wisdom and sound sense.
A Victorian poet talks about life in the preindustrial age, which “ran gaily, like the sparkling Thames.” Poets have always compared the passage of life to the flow of the river - gently, steadily, tirelessly, the stream flows on and on.
You only have to think of rivers today to realise that the metaphor will not hold good any longer. Our rivers no longer run clear and steady. They are muddied, polluted, poisoned by chemicals and industrial effluents. Often they are in spate, overflowing their banks, causing enormous tragedies with loss of numerous lives and damage to property.
Fast, faster, fastest – we are hurtling through life at a breakneck speed. Our favourite ‘rides’ are roller coasters on which people pay money to climb and then scream in fear as they are hurtled through loops and falls and steep drops. What are we looking for? What do we hope to find in such breathtaking pastimes?
Right mindfulness is the key to peace and joy. The tremendous physical and material progress that man has made, are of no value to him, unless he cultivates the right attitude of mind
Slow and steady - this was the pace of life, even fifty years ago - this was how men and women, old and young lived their lives. The speed of ‘instant’ modes has entered our lives too, and we pay the price with stress, tension, neurosis and unheard of physical ailments. Experts say human nerves are unable to withstand the stress and strain associated with modern life.
Rush, rush, rush! Executives are jet setting across the globe. Visiting the customers in Nigeria today; meeting with bankers in London tomorrow; trade conferences in Buenos Aires the day after; off to Chicago for a new collaboration afterwards…
Go, go, go! Tiny tots in primary schools go for swimming lessons before school, tennis practice after and computer classes in the late evening…
Hurry, hurry, hurry! Mothers are virtually on roller skates. We did everything in a leisurely manner those days. We walked to the school, to the park and to the library. We spent hours pouring over books. We played long, leisurely games, indoors and outdoors. We prayed together, laughed and talked together, as extended families.
You will not believe me when I say this - we had time for everything those days. We had time for people; we had time to listen to others; we had time to devote to meaningful activities and time for relaxing and hobbies. And yet, we had the same 24 hours per day as you have now. I have met men who are so busy with their work that they have no time to give to their children and families.
I have heard children say that they are so loaded with schoolwork they don’t have time to play. I have heard housewives complain that they are virtually run off their feet with their multiple chores that they can’t even have a moment to themselves.
The greatest malady of modern life is that man permanently seems to be on a treadmill. He is on the move all the time, running and still in the same place.
At what price comes wealth and progress? Under these circumstances, is it at all surprising that we are constantly prone to irritations, annoyances and unhappiness? Right mindfulness is the key to peace and joy. The tremendous physical and material progress that man has made, are of no value to him, unless he cultivates the right attitude of mind.