Long and slow
Slow Dance
Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down, don't dance so fast.
Time is short, the music won't last.
Do you run through each day on the fly?
When you ask, "how are you?" do you hear the reply?
When the day is done do you lie in your bed
with the next hundred chores running through your head?
You'd better slow down, don't dance so fast.
Time is short, the music won't last.
Ever told your child, "well do it tomorrow"?
And in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die?
Cause you never had time to call and say, "hi".
You'd better slow down, don't dance so fast.
The time is short. The music won't last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere
you miss half the fun of getting there.
When you rush and you worry and you hurry through your day
It's like an unopened gift that's been thrown away.
Life is not a race. Do take it slower.
Hear the music before the song is over.
I received this poem in a forward a couple years ago, and I printed it out because I liked the message. If my memory serves me right, I believe the poem was written by a child suffering from leukemia. His message is simple, but it strikes deep, especially now. Sometimes, I think about why it takes such great tragedy for us to remember the little things in life and how they make up the moments that echo in our hearts forever. I wonder if I would have done things a little different had I known the magnitude of the pain I felt to have someone taken away from me. If only we could all not so much experience the pain of loss, but understand it in a way where it resonates in our hearts and minds, serving as a constant reminder to live for the moments that you can't put into words. Only then would we be able to truly live life to the fullest.
I was talking with a good friend the other day and we were discussing our drinking habits and how all too often things get out of control when we don't intend for them to. In the conclusion of our conversation, we agreed that next time we go out, we're going to hold each other accountable and make sure that we drink every beer long and slow. Long and slow. I like that concept. I then told Matt, "life should be long and slow" in which he responded with amusement that I would take our topic of conversation from beer and alcohol to such a profound depth. I'll admit, my wisdom was soaring due to a crazy ride on an emotional roller coaster last week, but I was enjoying the list in my head that was forming about things that should be done "long and slow".....kissing, falling in love, relationships, drinking, friendships, college (not classes), memories, conversation, running, dancing, cooking, movies, time spent together, vacations, sleeping.....the list could go on forever! For most things in life, the only way to optimize the quality is to sit back and savor the moment. There's no need to let the daily grind dictate the pace in which our life progresses....it's better to just let life happen and let God show us the blessings He has in store for us. Besides, when things aren't "long and slow", they get out of control, even when we don't intend for them to. Then you'll end up in a place you don't want to be with a really bad hangover and no Waffle House. And no one wants that.
I challenge you guys to think about these ideas as you go about your daily routines. Take a little time out of your day to really think about everything you have, all the people that have touched your hearts, and how great life really is.
Life for the moment. Savor the dance.
I love you guys!
"Never forget the small things in life because they are the keys that open doors to moments that last forever..." --R Gray
Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down, don't dance so fast.
Time is short, the music won't last.
Do you run through each day on the fly?
When you ask, "how are you?" do you hear the reply?
When the day is done do you lie in your bed
with the next hundred chores running through your head?
You'd better slow down, don't dance so fast.
Time is short, the music won't last.
Ever told your child, "well do it tomorrow"?
And in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die?
Cause you never had time to call and say, "hi".
You'd better slow down, don't dance so fast.
The time is short. The music won't last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere
you miss half the fun of getting there.
When you rush and you worry and you hurry through your day
It's like an unopened gift that's been thrown away.
Life is not a race. Do take it slower.
Hear the music before the song is over.
I received this poem in a forward a couple years ago, and I printed it out because I liked the message. If my memory serves me right, I believe the poem was written by a child suffering from leukemia. His message is simple, but it strikes deep, especially now. Sometimes, I think about why it takes such great tragedy for us to remember the little things in life and how they make up the moments that echo in our hearts forever. I wonder if I would have done things a little different had I known the magnitude of the pain I felt to have someone taken away from me. If only we could all not so much experience the pain of loss, but understand it in a way where it resonates in our hearts and minds, serving as a constant reminder to live for the moments that you can't put into words. Only then would we be able to truly live life to the fullest.
I was talking with a good friend the other day and we were discussing our drinking habits and how all too often things get out of control when we don't intend for them to. In the conclusion of our conversation, we agreed that next time we go out, we're going to hold each other accountable and make sure that we drink every beer long and slow. Long and slow. I like that concept. I then told Matt, "life should be long and slow" in which he responded with amusement that I would take our topic of conversation from beer and alcohol to such a profound depth. I'll admit, my wisdom was soaring due to a crazy ride on an emotional roller coaster last week, but I was enjoying the list in my head that was forming about things that should be done "long and slow".....kissing, falling in love, relationships, drinking, friendships, college (not classes), memories, conversation, running, dancing, cooking, movies, time spent together, vacations, sleeping.....the list could go on forever! For most things in life, the only way to optimize the quality is to sit back and savor the moment. There's no need to let the daily grind dictate the pace in which our life progresses....it's better to just let life happen and let God show us the blessings He has in store for us. Besides, when things aren't "long and slow", they get out of control, even when we don't intend for them to. Then you'll end up in a place you don't want to be with a really bad hangover and no Waffle House. And no one wants that.
I challenge you guys to think about these ideas as you go about your daily routines. Take a little time out of your day to really think about everything you have, all the people that have touched your hearts, and how great life really is.
Life for the moment. Savor the dance.
I love you guys!
"Never forget the small things in life because they are the keys that open doors to moments that last forever..." --R Gray
posted by Stacy @ 9:25 PM
1 Comments:
At 10:08 PM ,
Anonymous said...
Stacy,
I have a letter that my father wrote me when I was just a child. I will share it with you because I know that you will appreciate it…
“Son,
Tonight I sat eating dinner and watching you play in your play pin. I sat admiring your determination to play with your toys. Your hands haven’t yet developed the ability to grasp, but you try. You reach out to your toys and fight to learn. When you did finally get a hold of the toy you refused to turn loose, and you smiled because you were satisfied. Never let go of an idea or a dream, always make it your goal. Never destroy it but build on it until it is achieved then you can smile again, smile for me.
When you get older there will be days you’ll think is the end of the world. If you will on these days, try to smile rather than drag your eyes on the ground and I am sure your world will get brighter. Learn to smile anytime you are burdened with a load or worry of any size or dimension. Stand strong against your problems no matter how great. Be a proud winner and a gracious looser, but keep trying. Never down trod your enemies and always try to be the type of person that everyone is proud to know. Learn to give praise to those that need it and advise or help anyone you can without hurting yourself or your loved one. Remember for today and always, that above all else you owe yourself more than you do your neighbor and friend. When you have a wife and a family of your own put them above yourself. Make the supreme sacrifice to see that they are able to smile and I am sure you then can smile too. Build for them a dream out of material things and make it a reality. Make life for them the way you would have yours to be. Love yourself and your family but love them more.
Stand strong when you’re right and realize and admit it when you’re wrong. Reach out to help a person fallen in the way but don’t ever put him at a better opportunity than yourself.
One more thing I think you ought to know is when you feel you need help let me know and I’ll try to give a hand. Between your mother and I, we should be able to give any assistance needed, but if the problems are to large for the three of to handle we can always call on God to lead us through.
So remember, smile when you’re happy, smile when sad, be a proud but humble man and believe in dreams and ideas. Learn to build on such things to bring them to reality, and that your mother and I will always love you.
Dad.”
He never stopped loving us and was always there at a phone call. My mother sent me the original many years ago and my step mother found a copy of it after dad’s passing.
You are the first one that I have shared this with. My wife hasn’t even seen it yet. I know that you will appreciate it most of all. There were approximately 300 people at his funeral in the middle of the day on a Thursday, a testament to the lives he touched.
“He was merely a Godly man whose only endeavor was to live by the virtues of the Bible and to reach out to people who needed love. His carefree nature gave him the innocence of a child, thus allowing him to believe in the goodness of people and the faith of God’s will. Literally giving the shirt off his back, he was willing to invest whatever power he had to help the less fortunate and ease their troubled minds. His benevolence touched many people and the epitomized the notion of unconditional love with every person that he met. His wisdom stretched truth for miles, changing lives as he made the necessary steps, no matter how great or how little they were, to make his dream come true…He died happy, forever able to embrace the peace of the Lord.”
You share his ability with words and I always want you to remember what you wrote.
“Do what’s right, Not what’s popular” –RMG
“If something is done morally and ethically, then it is right” -RMG
“if you are not actively involved in getting what you want then you don’t want it.” –RMG
He is my hero too.
If you ever need me, I’m always there at a phone call.
RDG
Love you.
rel
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