One morning I got out of my car and walked hurriedly toward the ATM. There was a gentleman some yards in front of me who had parked and got out of his car to walk to the ATM also. We both stopped to avoid walking ahead “skipping” each other. The man smiled at me and told me “go ahead baby” (everybody in the NOLA calls each other “baby”). I returned his smile and walked hurriedly ahead.

As I walked ahead I heard him say “why is everyone always in such a hurry?” I wasn’t sure if he meant for me to hear him or not. Twenty seconds or so later while I furiously punched the ATM buttons I thought why am I in such a hurry? Yes, I have to get the kids to school, but they will get there. I really wasn’t late. So what was I rushing for?

I purposely slowed down and finished my transaction. It wasn’t until I’d got back to my car and I was “frantically” trying to open the door that I realized at some point during the last ninety seconds I’d started rushing again.

It hadn’t taken long for me to flip back on the rushing switch. Most likely I’d rushed right past the man and he probably thought “there she goes again.” When I think about it I talk fast, eat fast, type fast it’s just a habit I guess.

If I’m waiting too long in the line at Walmart, I might start taping my foot or start swaying from side to side. And my goodness if the cashier has to call someone for help I might lose it. And most of the time I don’t have anywhere to go but home.

And the freeway? OMG the speed at which people drive today is downright dangerous. I often think in the morning rush hour traffic that I would love to have a job I loved that much to risk life and limb just to get there.

The man posed a great question; why is everyone is such a hurry”? I have no idea.

You know the saying “take a moment and smell the roses?” Good advice. Please stop and smell them BUT after you are finished and you start moving again; GO @ A SLOWER PACE; SLOW DOWN.