More often than not, my wife would always tell me to slow down and take it easy. She really would hate me during those times when I do tend to go over things as if anything and everything has a deadline. This literally means she wants me to control myself and not rush in so many things that I do, think and speak.
I was a true follower of the catch phrase “Need for Speed”. Everything for me then was to accomplish things as swiftly as possible. From small and trivial things to big and important things I always believed that everything should be done quickly and get over it.
Maybe because I grew up in an environment where you have to compete with the best and the quicker you get ahead with the pack, the quicker you’ll end to be successful.
Now I know how wrong that concept was.
I used to be like this….
I eat fast…that sometimes I’m finished with my meal long before my wife would start her third spoonful of food.
I read fast…I used to read a 500 page novel in just about three hours. My wife would often get mad at me when both of us would browse some news in the internet over a computer display because I tend to scroll down the mouse before she could even read the headline subtitles.
I walk fast….Joy and the kids would often lose their breaths catching up with me when I walk in malls or department stores or wherever we are.
I talk fast… Thus sometimes, I tend to stutter when speaking because my verbal faculties cannot cope up with the fast neurons wracking into my brains.
I think fast…sometimes my thoughts goes thru at a speed like all cars on all motorways in
I pray fast…I used to rationalize that since God has to listen to billions of people on earth praying, I just need to be quick in praying to Him so as just he can move on quickly to the next person asking for help.
I drive fast…just a year over since I got my license, I already have 6 demerit points because of infringements over road speed limits.
I used to be proud of it…and sometimes, I still think that it has some positive results. I used to equate speed with competency – the faster, the better. But I realized now that it isn’t so.
What made me think otherwise?
I was looking at some old photos of my family and as much as I tried to remember the circumstances and situations behind those pictures – it suddenly occurred to me that I already forgotten what was it then. I realised there and then that Life have quickly past by and I wasn’t able to cherish those supposedly memorable moments.
At the hindsight, I came to comprehend that I was so eager to achieve many things that I thought was important and has overlooked the things that should have been more important to me. I have breeze life accomplishing my role as a father to my children and as a husband to my wife but was not really able to enjoy every minute of it. Why? Because I have taken the road of proving that I could do it quickly and efficiently and not putting emphasis on the value behind those roles.
I also realized that….
When I eat fast – my hypertension increases, I’m at risk having indigestion and possible heart burn is forthcoming. But more importantly, I won’t be able to relish the food and appreciate the one who prepared it.
When I read fast, I only browse the essential points of the story but I lose the prose and the writing style the author has written it. I would fail to recognize the message between the lines and other characters and sub-plots in the story.
When I walk fast - I show impatience. Anybody with me won’t be able to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us.
When I talk fast, it makes an impression that I’m rude and I won’t be able to express clearly the thoughts I would like to share.
When I think fast, I would be treating others as an inferior individual. I may show sensitivity but I would also be at risk of being labelled as arrogant and conceited.
When I drive fast – I would be inconsiderate and I would sacrifice my safety and the safety of my passengers.
When I pray fast – I show disrespect to my Creator. I could never have a true conversation with Him – that should have been the true essence of a prayer.
After a year in Couples for Christ, I’ve seen many imperfections in my brothers and sisters. But that is alright, it is reflective of my own imperfections. Those imperfections made me realize the true value of brotherhood and sisterhood – the acceptance between each and everyone of us that we are imperfect and the desire to improve oneself to seek the perfection that the Lord wanted us to have after this life.
Haste makes waste as they say. And having understood this, I have come to put the necessary brakes in the car of my life. This way, I would be able to prepare for those bumps (misfortunes and hardships) that might threaten me and my family and those humps (adversity and struggles) ahead of me.
Having said that, I have formulated a set of truisms that I will try to adhere to in the years to come. Some of them I read it from somewhere and some of them I made it as my own. Read on….
1. Faith is the ability to not panic.
2. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you pray, don't worry.
3. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home every day.
4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.
5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.
6. Do the math. Count your blessings.
7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
8. Dear God: I have a problem. It's me.
9. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.
10. Laugh every day, it's like inner jogging.
11. The most important things in your home are the people.
12. Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.
13. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.
14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.
15. We do not remember days, but moments. Life moves too fast, so enjoy your precious moments.
16. Nothing is real to you until you experience it, otherwise it's just hearsay.
17. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle -- it only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.
18. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are.
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