It didn't end up good. Other people, traffic, check-out tellers, the dog, didn't understand that things needed to be done faster. They didn't understand that I needed things done faster!
It seemed as though the more I tried to hurry everything up, the slower it all went.
I got so frustrated that I dropped myself down into a chair, threw my arms on the table, and buried my face into the inside of my elbow (like you do when it's nap time in kindergarten). I let out a few screams in my head because I felt so frustrated.
I stayed there for quite some time (it was probably more like two minutes) because I didn't think I could take it anymore. But, then I realized the more I stayed still the calmer I became.
Everything inside the house was still, and calm. Nothing was moving. Nothing was making noise. Then I began looking out the window. A thought appeared. It was something I had heard before, but don't remember where. It said:
"Nothing in nature is rushed, yet all is accomplished."
I watched through the window at the birds as they sat and sang, the trees as they stood and waved in the wind, the squirrels as they began burying nuts, and a deer as she slowly walked by. Then, another thought came to mind, a verse. It was Psalm 46:10; "Be still and know that I am God."
Life can move very fast, and it's easy to get caught in all the action. You feel as though you're in a big river and the water is pushing all around you. It's difficult to get out of the river and to a safe shore.
But don't think that you have to rush like everyone does. You don't have to rush! You have a choice. To do less rushing, try a few of these recommendations:
1. Breathe. When you feel rushed, start taking some deep breaths. If you can focus on simply breathing for a few minutes it can make a world of different in your thinking and demeanor.
2. Go somewhere else. Wherever you are that's making you feel rushed, there is likely a reason. It may be your job, traffic, phone calls, emails, or a family member. If you start to feel rushed, just go to another room, take another way home, put your phone on silent (or off), close your email, or go outside to the yard by yourself for a few minutes. It's ok to excuse yourself every now and again.
3. Listen to calming music. With so many of us having iPods and iPhones with us, we're likely to have some music in our pockets. Try putting some classical or soothing music on your MP3 player. You don't have to have a large playlist, just a few soothing songs to help you through a rush.
4. Take a walk. Taking a short walk can refocus your thinking, calm you down, and get you back to living the way you want to, and not the way the world expects you. Taking a walk helps you remember nature, and that you're a part of it, not separate. Taking a walk connects you to something bigger than just small, everyday tasks.
5. Pray. Praying is shown to lower blood pressure, release stress, and calm you down. Praying takes your problems and releases them to a higher power. Praying helps you remember that you don't control everything. Praying helps you realize that you don't have to have everything they way you want, God makes things the way that you need.
The world can be a fast and furious place, but that doesn't mean that you have to be. Warren Buffett is well known for giving good, practical advise. He says that if everyone is doing something and you're not, you're likely in a good place.
Don't do things that everyone else is. Try some of the steps above. If they don't work for you, it's ok, try to make your own list of things that help you stay calm, and not rushed.
