Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Slow Dance


I visited a friend today who works at the company where I had spent 17 years building my professional career. As I drove through the parking lot and gazed at all the cars attached to the many people sitting in cubicles inside the building, I had an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Gratitude for having the courage to make the choice to slow down and move out of the rat race, into a new direction.

As I visited with my friend and listened to her talk about how it's difficult to get out of bed in the morning to come to a job that is sucking the life out of her, I again counted my blessings. That used to be me.  When she told me that her kids get to have the lifestyle they have because of her, and the job she forces herself to go to everyday, again I counted my blessings. I was reminded of the conversation I recently had with my 7-year old daughter as she thanked me and told me she was lucky to have a mom that could spend the summer with her.  I was reminded that although it isn't always easy to forge new paths, it sure is worth it.

And, I was reminded of this poem that I recently discovered, written by child psychologist David L Weatherford.


Slow Dance

Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask: How are you?
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done,
do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
To call and say, "Hi"?
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower.
Hear the music
Before the song is over.


Are you deferring life to some future point in time when you'll have enough money or enough time or enough success? What is the price you are paying in the meantime?

Love and Prayers,
Sondra

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