Do You Live Too Fast?
The biggest challenge in our marriage? I’m fast and
Kathleen's not. Am I A.D.D.? Not sure, but at the very least, I’m the
most easily distracted person I know. On the flip side, I do everything
pretty quickly. Plus, I multi-task easily. I’m reading 3 or 4 books at a
time, scan the TV channels constantly, and have a stack of magazines next
to my desk – which is pretty cluttered of course. I’m not interested in
long conversations – just give me the facts ma’am. Cut to the chase.
Make it quick. I make decisions - well, fast.
But Kathleen on the other hand is a processor. She takes her time. She savors stuff. She can nurse a glass of wine all evening. She gets mad at me for pushing. While she’s still getting ready, I’m waiting in the car ready to go. (And not happy about it).
But there’s no question that while I accomplish a lot and get stuff
done, I also miss a lot along the way. I don’t savor the moment because
I’m getting ready for what’s next. I worry sometimes that I’ll get to
the end of my life and not actually lived a life in between. Kathleen on
the other hand knows how to experience life.
There’s something to be said for speed and efficiency.
But there may be more to be said for taking your time.
Which are you, and how does it impact your life?
I thought I was somewhere in the middle...I saw many people whom I admired because of their ability to get things done and be efficient. But then, when I got married at 25, I learned that I was FAST...compared to my wife. One thing she has surely taught me over these years was to "take time to smell the roses" because "life does move by much too fast." She taught me how to sleep in and drink my coffee, slowly, and just spend time with her and our daughters...no need to cram everything into one day or a few hours, etc. I guess, in time, we do balance each other out and we are more complete and happier people. :-)
I'm the ADD poster-child, able to multitask like a fiend. Living in the moment is difficult but thankfully I've learned there are ways to develop new habits and viewpoints and slowly build some balance into the mix.
It's hard work however.