I'm pleased to say therapy went well on Thursday; the sun coming out over the Carousel just in time on Wednesday. But, maybe inevitably, the expected high over the weekend has been a little lower than before. Energy levels down (thankfully not mental - day spent doing village hall accounts!) and a sense of slowness.
And that set me thinking, as I added up and took away... Does it matter how quickly we live our lives?
In the old days, I'd hare off in the car, or train or plane "going places to do stuff", usually very enjoyable and definitely making a difference for fellow architects on their own career paths.
But what about the journey? Eyes forward, on the road or into a laptop, never really aware of the world I was passing through.
Now, living at an enforced slower pace, I can take the time to look left and right, taking in the scenery, the beautiful scenery of the English countryside (metaphor or otherwise!). Not just getting "somewhere", but taking pleasure in the "getting" bit.
So, yes "making a difference" often means "eyes forward" and "focus" working hard to achieve goals and objectives; but there's also room for a little "me time", taking in the world from all directions, and taking time to enjoy what we see.
You're quite right. This Davies poem is so popular now it's almost hackneyed. None the less, it's very true...
ReplyDeleteWhat is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?—
No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows:
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.