Week #28 – “Take the long way home…”

Me and My Shadow (photo credit: Grace Church)

Me and My Shadow (photo credit: Grace Church)

Week #28 – “Take the long way home…”

Rob never missed an opportunity to take a long walk or an even longer drive.  He’d listen to music, make phone calls, or even make a few new friends along the way.  (Some of you may have been on the receiving end of that!)  I was so blessed to have shared many long drives with Rob as teenagers…and many long walks on the boardwalk as adults.  We’d talk or not talk, listen to music or share silence, figure out the future or laugh at the past.  There was nothing that a long walk or drive couldn’t fix.

Well…almost nothing.

I’ve heard several stories this week of people I know getting sick, getting derailed on their life’s journey, or dying too young.  Since losing Rob — this news strikes me differently now.  Any loss is difficult — but to have things cut short always has a nasty bite to it.  Time is so precious.  It urges us to move faster, as if somehow that will help us make the most of it…but the opposite is true, isn’t it?  It is the times we slow down and take the long way that stand out in our minds.

The photo above is one of the last long walks I took with my brother.  I remember it like it was yesterday…I stopped to take a picture of my shadow on the sand and he turned back to meet me and ham for the camera.  It was an hour of our lives together.  Maybe two.  I’m sure I could have been cleaning or writing or balancing my budget.  But I’m sure glad I didn’t!

Your assignment for this week: Take the long way home!  The weather is finally breaking in the Northeast.  We hit 60 degrees at the Jersey Shore today…and people are slowly coming out of hibernation.  Warmer air means we can slow down a bit, stop and chat, or roll the window down to say hello…but it also means things are moving faster as our schedules fill up!  If you find yourself stressed…it makes sense!  Just remember this:

“Life move’s pretty fast.  If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it!”  (Ferris Beuller)

“Once in a while…”   What “once in a while” could you make time for this week?

Spread Happyness — and share your thoughts (and ideas) in the comments!

3/27/15 by Grace Church
© Grace Church

 

 

 

 

 

4 thoughts on “Week #28 – “Take the long way home…”

    1. Grace Church Post author

      Your life moves the fastest of anyone I know, Pat — and you’re “retired!” YOU are teaching ME every day about what it means to be both present AND productive! The kitchen WILL get done…and I know you’ll make the most of the journey along the way! 😉

  1. James Sommers

    I think the trick is to live in the moment but not FOR the moment! Plan for the future but enjoy the day! This moment! It’s tricky. We need stuff like insurance and savings and 401K’s and stuff like that! But…we also need to enjoy the day! The sweet spot is finding that middle ground of loving life in the moment but planning for the future.

    It’s taken me far too long to learn if we’re waiting for our “happyness” to come “someday”, someday never comes!

    1. Grace Church Post author

      Absolutely love your contributions here, Jim — and your honesty! Please keep both coming! 😉

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