Pace of Life

From time to time people will ask me about what matters most to me - the actual achievement of life goals or the journey toward them.  My snap answer is usually that the journey is what counts but there are limits to this  - when we really think about it.

I have sports car and a motorcycle and I like to drive quickly but safely and at my own pace.  It's not so much that I need to get to a destination quicker than anyone else - for me its all about the pleasure and experience of driving. 

Now I know that not everyone feels the same way.  I meet people on the road who want to race me because they feel they have something to prove.  I will get out their way.  Its nice to not play their game because ultimately I know that my car is fast enough to go faster than them if it really mattered.

I meet other people on the road.  They usually wear a cap.  They grip the steering wheel as if it would float away.  They travel at 25 in a 50 zone and won't move over.  They have all week to make this particular journey and yet they choose this busy time when the rest of us do have places to go and people to see.

Does anyone else think that older people should really be moving faster as they age rather than slower?  Surely if they have fewer years left to live they could feel a greater sense of urgency and really get on with making it to a few more destinations.

My martial arts sensei told me that when things are going great then just remember not to get too happy because things will change - and when things are bad don't get too upset because things will change.  Like so many things in life we need awareness of what matters and we need to find some personal balance. 

When we have a feeling that we have so many goals to achieve it is important to remember to notice the journeys we are on in this moment.  When we seem to need to rest from achievement its nice to remember that we can still assist many others on their journey - or at the very least get out of their way.