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In the 1960’s and 70’s, there was a musical called Stop the World—I Want To Get Off. It opened in London, then on Broadway. A somewhat unsuccessful revival on Broadway took place in the 1970’s. I suspect that most people do not recall the actual story in the musical. Far more compelling, at least to me, is the title.
How many times have I felt like screaming Stop the World—I Want To Get Off. Lately, it just seems like the pace of time is just getting quicker and quicker. Stop the world. Slow it down. Does the pace of our lives seem like madness? The horrible winter, snow, and cold was so vivid. Yet, this weekend, it seems like an eternity ago. The oppressive winter is over. It seemed to happen a long time ago. But it was only last month.
This became so clear to me last week when I observed (note that I did not say “celebrated”) the 42nd anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. I was just stunned to think about such an anniversary. 42 years? That seems nuts. I recently looked up in our records the names of those who were 42 years ordained when I was just ordained. With charity, let me say that my memory of them is that they were really not young. Actually, I barely recall even their names. Can it be that those being ordained this month look at the group of us who were ordained 42 years ago and feel that we too are really just not young?
To observe that “time marches on” seems a bit trite. But it is true. We need to slow the world down. How? I have a hunch. If you’re like me (and I pray that you’re not!), perhaps this might help you. My problem is that what I’m going to suggest is not something that I do. But I know that this suggestion is a healthy positive way to live. I am really going to try to change my own behavior in this regard.
I tend to run from people who tell me to smell the flowers. I want to say to them, “you, go smell the flowers, I have too much work to do.” Unfortunately, they do have a point. So I must recast it in a way that makes me comfortable.
Savor each day. Don’t let a day go by without some reflection – on the people, experiences, and things that made me grateful. Gratitude. Gratitude. Gratitude.
I have so many good things happen to me – and the merry go round just keeps going and I do not even notice these things. The downside of an extraordinarily busy life is that, when I slow down even a little and think about my chronological age and years as a priest, I feel sad. I just feel that life has gone on so quickly. I have nothing to show for it. Was I good? Did I make a difference? I usually do not know.
Gratitude is an easy and practical and even measurable solution. I have to take the time to feel gratitude, to say gratitude, and to mean gratitude. Because if/when I don’t, then I have just missed so many wonderful and good things and people that have happened in my life.
An older spiritual approach used to stress a daily examination of conscience. It is a good practice – for me, best done at the end of the day. But what a great way to live - to end the day with gratitude and start the new day fresh and grateful.
I don’t do this. But, I am really going to try. It really is stupid and wrong not to live this way. It is also a profoundly spiritual thing to do.