The Little Things

One of my favorite song lyrics comes from Lady Antebellum's "Heart of the World." It says simply, "Time is a thief I would rob." 

So much truth to that statement. And so little explanation needed. 

Time seems to be in such short supply, with such high demand. Pretty much the worst-case scenario for any commodity.

Time is so coveted. 

We try to capitalize on the "little" time we do have, which turns us in to crazy people - rushing here, there, everywhere. We meet ourselves coming and going at the door. We find ourselves running at top speed to keep our heads above water in this rat-race we call life. 

We have jobs to do, bills to pay, mouths to feed, events to attend, families to visit, children to parent, spouses to love...and endless errands to run to make that all happen. Whether we work the eight-to-five, overnights, rotating schedules, own our own business, or work multiple jobs, the work-life balance can be so daunting to accomplish. How does one even accomplish balance? Balance requires constant adjustment to remain upright. 

What is it about our lifestyles that makes time define us?

Whatever it is that fills our seconds, minutes, hours, days, we are all busy all the time. 

I challenge our busy lives, our jam-packed schedules. I ask, why? What is the purpose of constantly being on-the-go, without stopping to enjoy the little moments...? There has to be purpose, meaning, to everything we do, after all, right? Otherwise we wouldn't do it. 

Are we trying to keep up with the next person? Is that what keeps us running around? Are we to be better employees, better business owners, better parents, better friends...better this, better that...better, better, better. Are we constantly striving to be more, do more, than we already are? Is that why we never ever slow down?

We fall into bed at night, overcome by exhaustion. We scrape our weary bones out of bed in the morning and it takes every ounce of energy, ever fiber of our being. We shift into get-ready-for-the-day mode. We shower, get ready, make breakfast...if there are little ones in the family, that adds another element to that series of challenges that each day presents... We shift into auto-pilot and methodolically steer through our day. We turn into robots. We take meaning out of the everyday things we do, the interactions we have with others. 

We don't take time to stop and smell the roses, to enjoy the little moments, the special things. And we know this. That's not news to any of us, yet do we let that change anything about our actions, our busy-ness, our speed? 

What is it about slowing down that makes us feel so guilty? It's like if we aren't going a million miles an hour all the time, if we aren't constantly producing results, we feel less... something. Deserving, maybe? Worthy?

So often I hear people say, "It's the little things." Meaning, it's the little things that are the most important things. If that's the case, then why aren't we taking time to enjoy them? 

What would happen if we put the brakes on once in a while?

Take a moment out of your day to compliment a stranger. Hold a door for someone. Write a thank-you note to a friend who did something kind for you. Literally stop and smell a flower, if that's what makes you slow down for just a second. Take a moment to sit down and have a real conversation with someone - anyone. You never know what you could glean from little moments like that. 

I dare you.

Let's live more for "the little things."