SLOW DANCE

Slow Dance
-Author Unknown

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, We'll 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
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 worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away...

Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.
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I have been really struggling the past decade or so with how fast time is marching on. I find the above poem very inspirational because it illustrates for me just how fast time is passing and how many special moments I am missing out on because I am in such a hurry to keep up with passing time. It helps to be retired because there is more time to spend on the details than before.

Some ask me why I am not bored at home. How can I possibly feel fulfilled. I remarked to Bruce just the other day I do not know how anyone can be bored, even if they are not in the workforce. There are so many things I enjoy doing I still do not have enough hours in the day to do them all. Thank goodness I do not work anymore....how on earth would I get everything done?

Life can be as busy as we make it... or as slack...... depends how much we choose to do, or not do.
I am happiest when I don't feel overwhelmed and stressed out, wondering if I am going to make that deadline. Inevitably I would have to prioritize and not do some of the items on my mile long to do list. Then I felt I was cheating someone or usually myself because I could not be superwoman.

I am much more relaxed and happy and fulfilled because I can now pay attention to the details
and take more time to participate in the slow dance.