Racing against time: are we there yet?

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He rushes onto the C-train, his backpack slung off one arm, a travel mug in one hand, a slice of toast wrapped in paper towel in the other. He stands, both feet planted firmly on the train platform, balancing himself as it lurches forward.

He’s in a rush. To get to school. Gotta eat on the run.

She races towards the doors of he C-train, sticks her arm in between the about to close doors and slips through the crack. Leaning against a glass divider, she pulls out her mirror and begins to apply her make-up.

She’s in a rush. To work. To a meeting. Somewhere. Gotta get prettied up on the run.

He dashes across the C-train tracks as the light is turning from flashing amber to red. Down the avenue, a train is coming closer. It blasts its horn to encourage the man racing across the tracks to get out of the way. He ignores it.

He’s in a rush. Somewhere. Gotta beat the train.

I see it everywhere. People rushing, racing to catch, the train, the light, time.

And I look at my life and wonder, where do I do it too?

And I laugh. Even though it’s not really all that funny.

Some mornings, especially those where I’m driving myself to work and not taking the C-train, I get in my car, to-go cup in the cup holder, cut up slices of an apple in a baggie on the seat beside me. I munch and sip as I drive into the city center and see other drivers munching and sipping all along my route.

We are a hurry up and get there, get ‘er done, let’s get going, times a’wastin’ kind of town.

In my awareness, I am reminded to slow down and breathe. To put thought into each moment, to savour each breath, enjoy the here and now.

In my awareness, I commit to honouring time passing with my presence firmly planted in the here and now.

Namaste.

On Tuesday, the Calgary Homeless Foundation where I work, honoured recipients of the Arthur R. Smith Awards.

The amazing Bandi, photographer extraordinaire, took some wonderful photos of the people at the event. Here’s one of my very favourites.

Sharyn, Louise, Wendy

Sharyn, Louise, Wendy

 

18 thoughts on “Racing against time: are we there yet?”

  1. Thank you Louise I am slowly learning that I will always have plenty of time if I prepare for my day ahead. Love the slow life and living in the country I don’t rush as much anymore and there is always a park when I get to town.

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    • I love this reminder Kath — “and there is always a park when I get to town”

      Working in the downtown core, my office is a five minute walk from the river and its pathways!

      Thanks for reminding me I have a place everyday to walk in nature.

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  4. There is always a stage in life when we keep rushing but there is a positive aspect to it…we realise the significance of “stand and stare” and we learn to take time out for our own self. Self-love gets an impetus when we become too busy!

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  5. Good observation Val. I remember thinking how conscious he was of germs as he purposefully kept holding the paper towel and moving it to ensure his fingers didn’t touch the toast as he ate it. 🙂 It is a lovely mindful action!

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  7. I can so relate. I wish I were one of those peeps who gave myself plenty of time to drive in the right lane at speed posted! 😉 Love the way you wrote this. I was right there in the car with ya, eating sliced apples and sipping coffee😊

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