Life in the Slow Lane

As I was driving to work this morning, I was reminded of a powerful principle in life that leads to true peace. I can't say that I was enjoying the process of being reminded, but I was reminded nonetheless. You see, I was stuck in the "slow lane."

Oftentimes I am lost in thought while driving to work (I realize this doesn't sit well with the highway safety people, but it's the truth). This morning was no exception. But as I was thinking of all that needed to get done today (and there was a lot!), I realized that cars in the lanes on both sides of me were whizzing past while I plodded along behind an endless row of slowpokes. I thought of the old Murphy's Law, "The other line (or lane) always moves faster." Now, I don't hold all the discomforts in my life against Murphy. I've gotten to know him pretty well over the years and he's not such a bad guy once you realize that his involvement in your life is actually for your benefit. And this was the realization I had this morning as cars, and life it seemed, passed me by.

Slowing down is a good thing, a necessary thing. I, just like many of you, get swept up in the wave of the urgent, not realizing that in riding that wave I am losing my life, my peace. There is stress in the urgent, anxiety in living life too fast. No wonder anxiety medications are selling at an exponential rate. But it doesn't have to be this way for your life, for my life. We don't have to "keep up or die." No, in fact, to really live we must slow down.

I must confess, however, that I did feel the urge to swing my car violently into the passing lane and leave all those cars ahead of me in my wake. But instead, I took another sip of my coffee, exhaled deeply, and then breathed in the peace that comes from slowing down. I allowed the rush of urgency to pass by and I realized an amazing truth in doing so: my life didn't end. In fact, not only did it not end, it was enriched and revived. I was at peace in the slow lane.

What about you? Are you caught up in the wave of urgency? Is it sweeping away your peace? Try this. Close your eyes (not if you're driving, silly!), take a deep breath, and give yourself five minutes of dead time; no calls, no emails, no noise, no rush (even Limbaugh). You might be surprised at the wonderful experience of peace that comes from living life in the slow lane. I look forward to seeing you in the long line of cars with me...

Traveling in peace,

jonathan