Speeding Through the Moment
A couple of weeks ago, I received my first speeding ticket- ever, since I began driving. The worst part was I wasn't on the highway, which I admit I usually drive faster than I should. I was around the corner from our house.
It had been one of those mornings; we've all had them. I was late for a meeting. As I was walking out the door, the plumber drove up. He blocked my car in the driveway and then told me he was allergic to dogs, so I ran in to put our back lab on a leash, which I hooked around my husband's wheelchair. Finally the plumber moved the truck, and as I rushed out of the driveway, I stopped to ask our neighbor if she could unleash our dog after the plumber had left. I admit, I pressed the accelerator as I turned the corner of our neighborhood. One block down, the cop car pulled out from his hidden post on the sidewalk.
What bothered me wasn't so much the ticket, but speeding through the moment. Slowing down enough to be present in the moment is really important for our family. My husband is in a wheelchair, and it usually takes us longer to get to where we're going. The benefit of taking our time is that I usually see so much more and feel focused and present in where I am and who I'm with.
Working in a field with multiple projects, this is a really important part of my creative process. When I am working on a project, I can "get into the zone" fairly quickly. Everything else melts away as I play with language, design or creative concepts. I am able to give my full attention to the details of a project while also looking at the overall picture and goals ahead.
While there are always times when we want to speed through the day, I have learned the benefits to slowing down and becoming present in the moment are so much greater.
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