I didn't clue in until I turned 40 (you really do get smarter
with age!) that not only was my life half over, but I had been
rushing so fast through the years that the first half was one
big blur. Now I work very hard in a different direction: I "seek
the speed of going slowly". I discovered this delightful
expression in a wonderful book by John Eyre called "Don't
Just Do Something, Sit There."
SPENDING MONEY -
When we're going at breakneck speed, any time saving device can
be a false lure. Don't get sucked in! Much like smoking, we get
into these over-spending habits easily enough and then find we're
trapped by the craving for newer, bigger, better. My point: Sometimes
a wooden spoon works better than a Cuisinart, sometimes a pen
and piece of paper get the point across in a more intimate way
than a computer, sometimes 15 minutes sitting alone with each
of our kids in a quiet room heals psychological wounds faster
than any amount of chauffeuring. They often yearn for a "walk
and talk" with you and an ice cream cone over yet another
evening left alone with just the TV or video games for company.
CRAVING MORE MONEY - As Dale Carnegie wrote years and years
ago, his farmer father taught him you can only eat 3 meals a
day and sleep in one bed whether you're a king or a ditchdigger.
Common sense, yes, but as we near the year 2000 we seem to be
sorely lacking in it.
If we spend a large part of every single day worrying about
how we'll feed, clothe, and shelter ourselves in the future,
we're sure not going to be savoring our supper, paying much attention
to our family members in the evening, or feeling cozy and secure
in our bed tonight. Be brave! Let go of catastrophic thinking
about tomorrow and do something even harder - work at appreciating
some of the riches you already have TODAY!
Val Warner, BA MSW, is a Registered
Social Worker and owner of WALK & TALK COUNSELLING FOR WOMEN.
She may be reached by phone or fax in Calgary, Albert at 403-284-1999.
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by Val Warner