That’s too much sand for my truck. – Portuguese proverb
“Still another step toward simplicity is to refuse to live beyond our means emotionally. In a culture where whirl is king, we must understand our emotional limits. Ulcers, migraines, nervous tension and a dozen other symptoms mark our psychic overload. We are concerned not to live beyond our means financially, why do it emotionally?” (Richard Foster, author)
Happiness is a place between too little and too much. – Finnish proverb
I was recently listening to a Midday Connection program on productivity and relationships, how many of us in our culture take on way too much, but still gain admiration for doing so, be it in the community, at home, or even in church. The busier you are, the better… right? You’re being productive and that’s what God wants from you (never mind your family and your church!). You are doing GOOD THINGS.
It’s the old Mary vs Martha dilemma. And we all know what Jesus said about that.
So, the question is how fast is too fast for YOU? If 130 km/h is super fast, and 30 km/h is slow (think school zone), then what is your magic number? All of us vary in how driven we are, our physical and emotional energy capacity, and such. If you were a car, how fast would your optimum speed be? When would you decide to put the brakes on? (Use miles or km, whichever you prefer. )I’d say that I generally do best when I’m driving ‘my car’ at about 60-70 km/hour. If I move faster than that for too long, I feel the need to ‘park it’ and sometimes even think about ‘taking the insurance off the car’! Or perhaps I just need a faster car?!
And you?
Let's plan to have some parked days at the lake this summer. We always say it, but let's make it happen. Down time is good for the soul.
ReplyDeleteMan am I glad God slowed me down this spring. I don't know how I lived at that pace for so long.
ReplyDeleteLately I've been racing along at a speed that's much too uncomfortable for me. I'm looking forward to coming to a complete stop in the not-so-distant future.
ReplyDeleteIt's too easy to feel pushed into an unsafe speed by a "tailgater"; early in my driving I learned the best way to handle that was to maintain the set speed limit or to slow down and let Mr. Tailgater pass and do his own thing. How wise we would be to treat our irreplaceable bodies as well as we treat our replaceable cars! M. Sue
ReplyDeleteWell said, Sue!
ReplyDeleteI think I'd like to give up the car for a lovely horse and buggy and clip clop down a narrow green country lane gazing at flower filled meadows through the huge graceful trees lining the lane...!
ReplyDeleteBut usually, I think 30-40 mph is my comfortable pace. Perhaps because for 35 years I pushed myself well above 60 for 10 hours a day, 5 days a week. It is sooooo nice to be retired!
your brain is an interesting thing Aneta! If I were a car, I would only have two speeds...150 km/hour and 30-50 km/hour. I am either going full speed and then some or need my rest to recover from said speed!
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