On Sunday afternoon I was traveling on I90 towards Albany New York when this song started playing on the radio, the song completely captured my attention and changed the remainder of my drive back to Toronto. The song that played on the radio was Macy Gray - Slowly. Attached are the lyrics.
SLOWLY
Would it be so bad if we just stopped for a while
And enjoyed the thrills we could all be still let the world just pass us by
But it's all hurry hurry run run there's no time for this
We want more and more got to win got to score so afraid of what we'll miss
And it moves so fast
Nothing lasts
This too here will come to pass
Wanna spend my days away from all the fuss
Wanna spend them with you baby but you're in a rush
Slowly
Why can't we just take our time
Slowly
I wish that we could take our time
Yeah we're all getting older realize there's no fountain of youth
This is it came quick it's a lift it's a bitch it's your moment what you gonna do
Yeah time would you be a friend oooh bless us with the chance
To really grow up could you slow it up would you postpone the end
Cuz you move so fast
Nothing lasts
This too here will come to pass
Wanna spend my days away from all the fuss
Wanna spend them with you baby but you're in a rush
Slowly
Why can't we just take our time
Slowly
I wish that we could take our time
Cuz you move so fast
Nothing lasts
This too here will come to pass
And it flies and it rolls like the storms and the thunders
Stop and love me baby
Our days are numbered
Slowly
Why can't we just take our time
Slowly
I wish that we could take our time
Stop and love me baby
Our days are numbered
Take my time
Slow it down
Slowly
~~Macy Gray
A few minutes after the song ended I noticed the bridge just ahead I was not in any hurry to cross the bridge this time, rather, I slowed down and enjoyed the beauty the stood just outside my car. The river below was surrounded with beautiful lush, green trees by the river bank, blooming flowers--it was truly a spectacular site.
I later stopped at a service area to refuel and grab some grub. In the past I would run in, use the mens room, buy lunch, refuel and be back on the road within fifteen minutes. This time I took my time and slowed right down and ate lunch at at one of the tables instead of eating in the car while driving. Thirty minutes early, thirty minutes later, does it really matter in the grand scheme of things? No, It really does not matter. That was a thirty minute rest that I deserved.
Route 90 travels through the historic farm country of the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York before running through the small towns on the shores of Cayuga Lake.
Even as a Life Coach, I too recognize I need to slow down.
10 comments:
Hi Bruno, I LOVE Macy Gray and am happy the message resonated with you as well. yes, we could all use to slow down! I live in upstate NY -- a NYC transplant and I have adjusted well to the slower pace of life but there are still times when I catch myself rushing and am working on it! Thanks for the beautiful lyrics and post! Gratefully, Jenny
"Even as a life coach" - I'd say "Especially!"
Beautiful post. Thanks.
Nice little story :) On my recent trip out to Ottawa and Montreal, though the drives were long, I found myself trying to enjoy the scenery as much as possible.
You're right when you say that 30 minutes early or late does not really matter in the grand scheme. Every moment spent not noticing and enjoying the world around you is a moment wasted.
excellent post... and oh so true!!
really nice post bruno!
here is an excerpt from a song that i love called "Chasing Cars" from Snow Patrol...similar theme:
"If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me
And just forget the world?"
Imagine what life would be like without the convenient service stations. Think back to horse and buggy days, bicycle travel or other ways of getting 'to and fro.' Its all about choosing to slow down or speed up. Getting to a destination isn't limtied to the car or motor vehicles. People don't realize that they can be walking contraditctions. If you talk about slowing down, then speed down the road, your idea of thinking, talking doing aren't the same thing. What of consistency?
sounds a bit like one of the last scenes in the film "being human" with robin williams, in which the lead character is told by his daughter when sitting on the beach and wondering about life in general "this is it, dad, this is all there is"... in slowing down and accepting the moment, we learn to see the present for what it is, disassociated from the past and future and being totally "now"...
hope this makes sense, i enjoyed reading your experience here... thank you :-))
Wonderful post! Thank you for sharing your experience and the song lyrics! This is something that I think about often, as it's pretty difficult to ignore the speed at which we are expected to move every day. Instead of getting stuck in the rut of 'work-home-sleep-eat-shower-work-home-sleep-eat-shower-etc.,' we can all benefit from slowing down to really live, rather than simply exist according to the rules of someone else. Thank you, Bruno! Have a wonderful day!
I personally believe that we all zoom around like busy bees—the trick is to catch ourselves and to remind ourselves to slow down. We are all human, and sometimes we need to the subtle reminders like Macy Gray – Thanks Jenny!
Thanks Jena! Yes, especially as a life coach – but as I always say, I too am human – I live and learn with each passing day ☺
You are wise traisas – to have the ability to slow yourself down in your twenties is huge. I’m not sure I had it in me in my twenties to slow down. I had places to go, people to see, things to do, and a mission to accomplish.
I am thankful that I could enjoy the world around me now, although I still do have my moments.
Thanks Laura!
Beautiful Song mona! The words sound like someone is talking to themselves. I know when I forget to journal for a few days, when I do go back and journal, oddly enough the last line I write is, “Don’t forget about me”
Not sure I’m following you Liara –
I do bart – It totally makes sense. Thank you!
Thank for your comment nature’s secret whisper – it sometimes becomes tough to breakout of old habits especially when you don’t realize you are stuck. When we breakthrough and change the habits we start to march to the beat of our own drum.
Another odd timing one.
This past week I have seen my hometown in a new light. I have lived here for almost 30 years, and never once felt as if I was seeing it from an outsider's point of view. This week, I did just that, and I couldn't believe how beautiful and blessed this area is!!!
It's made me slow down and appreciate what I have here.
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