What’s the Hurry?

Let me start off with some special words from that old scallywag, Lao Tzu.

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”

Allow me to introduce, to some of you, the philosophy of SLOW LIVING.

Now, I’m no stranger to the concept of slow living; for the past eleven months, I’ve been firmly established on that path.  However, I had no idea there was actually a social movement by that name.  How very exciting!  Allow me to summarize for you and yes, before we even begin, this is closely related to intentional living.

There was a song written in the early 70’s, by Harry Nillson, called “Gotta Get Up.” Give it a listen sometime.  It is fast pace, frenetic in pace, and it is that way for a  reason, for the song is about hurrying through a day, trying to accomplish all that needs to be accomplished, and arriving home at night completely spent, exhausted, only to do the same thing again the next day.

Sound familiar to any of you?

Modern society seems to be stuck at warp speed, and that speed has increased over the years.  We seem to have an almost manic need to do more in less time, or do more in the same time, or just do more, dammit.  At the same time, we have seen a proliferation of fast-food restaurants, delivery programs, self-checkout aisles, order online so you don’t have to wait in line, hell, they will bring the order out to the parking lot for ya, just call ahead and there it is, shopping couldn’t be easier, or faster, than it is in 2024.  And we need it, by God, we need it, because we have shit to do, lots of shit to do, and it all has to be done now, not later, now, and you know damned well I’m telling the truth and you know damned well you are included in this diatribe.

We have become good little worker bees, higher productivity, working smarter, working faster, more productivity, thank you, and call the sitter, need someone to watch the kids, fifth night this week but that’s okay, they have their computer games to play and social media to lurk about, compiling likes and favorable emojis as mom and dad dazzle the employers with their incredible work prowess, thus assuring they will have a job this time next week.

Stress? Anxiety? Depression? Take a pill, take a shot, take a snort, find a way to balance the scales with some manufactured “feel good,” and all will be well, or don’t do those things, talk to your therapist, set new personal records in lifting or squats, go run a half-marathon, make sure you take selfies as you do those things because the other self-possessed need to see their support system, and, and, and, and, and . . .

Tell me I’m wrong.

And I will tell you this . . .

Slow the hell down, breathe deep, and learn how to embrace slow living.

Yes this ties in with intentional living.

What is your goal in life?  What is your vision?  And what in the holy hell is the point of working so many hours?

46% . . . the latest percentage of Americans living paycheck to paycheck.  That is absolutely astounding. Almost half of working America is one lost paycheck away from not being able to pay the bills.  Only 10% of American families have the recommended $1000 in savings in case of an emergency.

Personal debt has reached an all-time high in the U.S.  The average debt, in America, is over $59,000, spread out between home mortgage, car payments, student loans, and credit cards.

Can you say madness? And so we work harder, work longer, take on second and third jobs, gotta pay the man, gotta get out from under, and all the while, get this, the cost of living continues to rise, while wages remain basically the same, and the cost of eggs rises to $8.00 per dozen.

And so we work harder, work longer, take on second and third jobs, and . . . and . . . and . . .

Tell me I’m wrong?

The American Dream is a myth, and if I was into conspiracies, I would say the Captains of Industry have us all wrapped around their little pinkies.

But . . .

Maybe, just maybe, you would like to get off the hamster wheel, stop pedaling like crazy, and slow down, and in order to do that you will need to be willing to simplify your life. Trim down, scale down, settle down on the spending, do without the luxuries, cut out unnecessary expenses . . . in short, change your damned lifestyle.

And, in so doing, regain your life.

I’m fully aware that some of you reading this think I am bonkers. I gave up the American Dream, sold my security blanket (house), and now live one step above the homeless. 😊 But you know what? I owe on a car I just purchased. It is the only debt I have.  I am able to save at least 50% of my Social Security and freelance writing income, each month, and that would be more if I quit going to the coffee shop and ordering six-dollar mochas.

I have seven thousand dollars in savings, full discloser, just in case. I do not have a mortgage payment. I do not need to work at all.  I am dead serious when I say the economy could tank tomorrow and it would barely register with me.  And, please believe me, I am not boasting. I am simply saying it is possible to slow down, simplify your life, and spend more time living an intentional life, with your happiness the primary goal.

I have mentioned this before, but it needs to be repeated. One of the things I hear that just makes me cringe is someone saying “I meant to do that, but I just didn’t have the time.” What a pile of horse do-do.  Correct me if I’m wrong, but time hasn’t changed in our lifetimes. There are still twenty-four hours each day.  What that person should have said, a truly true statement, is “I had the time but I didn’t choose to spend it on that nonsense.”

We all have twenty-four hours each day.  How we spend those hours makes all the difference.

To those who love the work they do, who love accumulating wealth, and can’t imagine having a better life than they have now, I am silently giving you a standing ovation.  However, you are in the minority, no doubt about it, because I firmly believe the majority of Americans, dare I say the majority of working humans, are no closer to their dreams today than they were five years ago, and they certainly do not feel satisfied on a day-to-day basis.

Tell me I’m wrong.

Now, for those of you who believe in fairy tales, let’s pretend that the economy will get better. Let’s pretend that in the near future you will be paid a living wage but will be expected to work FEWER hours for that wage.  Let’s pretend your job will suddenly be fulfilling and give you a sense of pride.  Let’s pretend the corporate wealth will TRICKLE DOWN, shout out to President Ronnie, and you will not have to live paycheck to paycheck.

And friends, Santa Claus isn’t real.

If there is going to be meaningful change in your life . . . if your dream has any chance of becoming a reality . . . the major changes will need to happen within your way of thinking and in how you approach life.  Otherwise, you will become a living definition of insanity: Doing the same thing, day in and day out, but expecting, suddenly and miraculously, different results.

Simplify and slow down.

While you still have time to do so.