The Hurry Syndrome - got it bad?

The “Hurry” Syndrome

Got it bad?

Tim Connor

OK, you are going the speed limit and someone whizzes by you like there is no tomorrow – ever happened? Or have you put your life in jeopardy by weaving from one lane to the other in a hurry to get somewhere to then just sit in front of the TV chilling?

There are millions of ways people hurry through their life and I won’t bore you with any other examples, but I will ask you in all seriousness – do you have a bad case of “Hurry Syndrome”.

Well Tim, how can I answer that if I don’t know what you are talking about?

The Hurry Syndrome – when you lose touch with the present moment because you are obsessed with the next one.  Clear enough?

Why do people feel the need to hurry everything or everywhere?  Don’t they know what they are missing now? Yes there are some occasions when we need to rush but my guess is the reason we have to is directly related to some lifestyle issue. There five areas I am asking you to consider when it comes to this hurry issue;

Tomorrow is not guaranteed – 48,000 people in the US died in their sleep last night.  Were you one of them? Thousands of people die every day for a variety of reasons – were you one of them? If you knew today was your last day how would you spend it?  You see here is the issue – today is the last day for thousands of people but they just don’t know it. The only thing we do know is that we are alive now and when you really think about it that’s all that is really important. So – how are you living today – as if you have hundreds or even thousands of tomorrows or like all of us you really don’t know?

Expectations can ruin your day – The number one cause of disappointment is unrealized expectations.  A major contributor to stress is disappointment.  Stress is the number one contributor to illness.  Get it – expectations shorten your life and why?  You can’t manage all of them or even some of them; they are in the hands of the Universe, life, God or others.  So why do you set yourself up for constant disappointment by life or others when you have little or no control over them? Is it ego?  Is it selfishness?  Is it self-absorption?  Or is it the lack of patience with yourself, others or life in general?

What are you missing – Got any regrets?  Someone you didn’t call because you were too busy and then for some reason they are gone and you can no longer talk to them, see them or be with them?  Your kids are now heading off to college and you think back of all those special times you missed because you were too busy or in too much of a rush to just stop and be with them while you still could? I don’t know about you but life is just flying by.  I look back on 40 or 50 years and think – where did they all go?  What did I miss?  If I could rewind the clock and calendar would I do things differently?  Not that old yet?  Hopefully you will be one day and all you will have is your memories, the question is will they bring a smile to your face or tears?

The past is gone – When I say the past is gone I’m not implying that it was bad or good, filled with failure or achievements or wonderful memories or memories that make your hair stand on end.  My only point is that the past is dead.  Let me explain.

Last week you had a wonderful time with your kids.  Last month you got a promotion.   Last year you moved into your dream house.  Ten years ago you married your soul mate.  These were wonderful times.  Or – yesterday your car had a major mechanical issue, last month a dear friend passed away or five years ago you lost your job.  What’s the difference between all of these events?  Well, yes, some of them give you positive memories while others cause nothing but pain or regret.

But in the end they are all in the past – gone – yes you can relive them but here’s the problem – while you relive them you are in the past.  Whatever happened - happened – it’s gone - history regardless of whether your interpretation of it was positive or negative.

Why are you here – This is one of life’s fundamental questions that millions of people have been asking themselves for thousands of years.  Have you ever asked it of yourself?  If yes, have you figured out the answer yet?  If not why haven’t you asked it?  I know - if I will never come up with an answer what’s the point of asking the question?  Sometimes the thoughts we generate with questions even though we don’t get answers is a very valuable exercise.  Try it.

The gift of life is about four simple (no they are not really simple but this isn’t a book) ideas; living life to the fullest, giving and receiving love, bringing glory to God and service to others.  How are you doing?

In summary – Each moment life gives you is a gift.  Each breath you take is a gift.  Each heartbeat is a gift.  These gifts are to be enjoyed now not tomorrow “Do not worry about tomorrow – what you will eat or wear.  Today is enough.”  Recognize this?

All hurrying does is cause you to need to hurry to the next thing after you have hurried to the last one.  Stop for a minute or an hour and just say thank you for what you have and stop worrying about what you don’t have or won’t get to do in the future. Because one day it’s all going back in the box. 

“Everywhere I go, there I am.”  

Pogo