patience spectacles

I know the more trendy choice is a “life pause button” but that feels cliché…and doesn’t really accomplish what I’m looking for. A pause button stops things, freezes time indefinitely (and on my VHS, makes wiggly grey static waves everywhere)—not helpful. Patience spectacles—that's what I need. They could be exuberantly introduced by Billy Mays or a lady named Carol on QVC with impeccably manicured hands. “Just slip on these glasses, available in your choice of 3 stylish frames, and there you have it—normal life, with patience.” Nothing slows down, nothing changes…just a sense of calm so you can enjoy the day-to-day stuff. No pressure to get somewhere fast, no impending sense of deadline doom, no kerfuffle (such a great word!) over keeping up with whomever, Jones’ or otherwise. I need these glasses.

In a somewhat recent discussion with my mom, she pointed out that I’ve always been on the fast track. Everything I do is set in relation to its utility later on or how it fits into a larger plan. Not that I’m driven or even ambitious…just that I always seem to have my eyes set on the next step. How dumb.

I don’t know why I feel such an overwhelming need to always look ahead, but I do know that I want to stop. The thing about it is...I’ve become that cartoon character that’s crossing a river and is so focused on the opposite bank, it’s halfway across before it realizes the “stepping stones” are actually alligator heads. Then, of course, comedy steps in and our misdirected character is soaking wet, narrowly avoiding a pair of sparkly chompers—hilarious but undesirable.

So...I'm stopping…just standing still and enjoying where I am, looking around instead of only forward, making sure I don't miss all the great stuff along the way (disclaimer: this decision would be ill advised if one was actually standing on an alligator head, but hey, the metaphor only goes so far). Here would be a great place to make some kind of proclamation or resolution to do better, but frankly, I’m not great at that sort of thing so let’s just say I’m gonna try to actively be more still (which sounds like a total contradiction, but bear with me). Anyone else feel this way?

Remember this from Peter Pan...sometimes, that's me.