Why Are We Running So Fast - And To What?
/Life is FAST and getting faster all the time. We have technology and ourselves to blame or thank for this. Before the internet took off, along with the information age it spawned, we were stressed, but nothing like today. I wonder how much stress comes from the belief we need to be plugged in and accessible all the time.
At a business meeting last week, I noticed a number of people texting and answering emails. This would have been unacceptable at this same meeting a couple of years ago. I don’t think it’s acceptable today.
I got into a discussion about this very subject with my son, Rich, who, like so many, is adamant that for business reasons, he needs to answer every text, every email, whether he’s at a meeting, dinner or wherever.
I continued the discussion started with Rich Saturday evening with my friend Dewey, who asked the question, "Why are we running so fast and to what?" Perhaps it’s time for us to stop and think and evaluate this. I’ll start. What am I running to? I know some of the answers: I’m running to greater success, more money, to be of service, to pay the bills (or requests for appreciation (from Busting Loose from the Money Game), to go on vacation, to have fun, to get the most out of life. I’m lucky because I love what I do, but the frenetic pace work and life take on at times leaves me exhausted. And, I’m doing it to myself. We’re all doing it to ourselves.
It’s as if the assumption many of us make is that staying connected through technology should have equal or greater importance than person-to-person communication. I want to be fully present when I am with others, which for me means leaving the cell phone alone, checking emails no more than 3 times a day and not always answering my home phone.
A change may be brewing because I’m hearing more people say they long for real time connections with friends and loved ones; that they’re simplifying, and wanting to slow down. In my coaching groups and seminars I hear the appreciation women have about being together, feeling safe to be real and themselves. Keep asking the awareness provoking question– "Why are we running so fast and to what?" Coaches Challenge: Take a breath and a break from your regular technology routine. Consciously decide how much of your time and energy you’re willing to be available and what feels best to you.
At 1:30 p.m. Saturday I was teaching a business seminar for women and mentioned my mother, who died from cancer 15 years ago, with her dreams unrealized. I felt teary and was surprised because I’m at peace with her passing. Later that day I heard that my friend Kimberly Boothe had died at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. She too had cancer. Kimberly was a vivacious, beautiful, big-hearted woman and she will be truly missed.
The loss of a friend or loved brings sadness. Going into rather than avoiding the sadness, fear or anger around loss eventually brings us to the other side.
"Anything fully experienced leads to JOY." Sri Bhagavan, Founder Oneness University
Amazon Bestseller Launch Report:
Thank you everyone that participated. What a learning experience and a stressful, crazy week filled with lots of growth. That means it was hellatious, and I survived. The Amazon Launch reminds me of childbirth – you can’t know the pain and difficulty until you’re in the experience. I am very grateful for my A.A.’s, Karen and Carrie, and all my stress management skills – breathe, tap, pray, let go. The bad news: no book sales went through Amazon. The good news: the equivalent of 90 books were sold and people were able to receive their bonuses. My coach has encouraged me to re-do the launch because now the kinks are worked out. I’ll look at the fall.
AVATAR:
I loved AVATAR. I heard the criticism of the story line, but I don’t think those folks got the real message of the movie. Every one of my more conscious or spiritually aware friends knew exactly what Cameron is trying to say. I got a little bored with all the war scenes, but ACTION brings the guys in. Cameron in his Golden Globe acceptance speech, describes the message best:
"Avatar asks us to see that everything is connected, all human beings to each other, and us to the Earth. …If you have to go four and a half light years to another, made-up planet to appreciate this miracle of the world that we have right here, well, …that’s the wonder of cinema."
It’s also the wonder of what is possible for us – to embrace our fellow human beings and to appreciate and take care of our planet, ourselves and each other. The old ways of war and power over aren’t working. We have only to look around. We need a new model of power and I’m hopeful we’ll create that very soon.