None of us want to get to the end of our week (or life) and look back on missed opportunities. But, for many, it’s tough to slow down to a sustainable pace.
Pace….that’s a good word.
It means “the speed or rate at which something happens”.
We often struggle because we can’t find contentment in a pace that allows for opportunity-living.
There’s no doubt…if you’re going to be able to take advantage of opportunities that come your way and help people in need, you’re going to have to have margin in your schedule.
My point is not to make you cancel all your appointments and throw your calendar in the trash.
Not at all.
But we definitely need reminders to slow down and pay attention to what’s going on around us. Just because there is activity and a crowd does not mean that there is influence and community. That guy at work that you might otherwise pass by, might be the very person who needs you most.
Don’t become a “hallway zombie”. Love people.
I’m reminded of something that happened to me once. I was sitting outside of a coffee shop reading a book. As people would walk by to enter the shop, I would look up to give them that eyebrow greeting thing we do. You know…the one that says “I see you there, and I’m willing to take a break from my book to acknowledge your presence on our planet”. If they were looking, I might even say “Hey, how’s it going?”. After several people walked by without even noticing me, I began to pay closer attention. I was amazed at how few people even made eye contact. Most of the people who walked by were clueless that any other lifeforms existed. They were either dazed or stuck in their text message. It was almost creepy.
Let’s not walk through life without seeing people. Let’s slow down and look around. This isn’t laziness. This is love. When you slow down, you’ll be amazed how many opportunities come your way. You’ll be amazed at how many people really need you. People are hurting. Even the ones who look like they’ve got it together. You will find yourself looking at your past busy-ness with contempt because of the people you looked right past.
Start today. Look around as you walk.