I know. I know.

That sounds incredibly dramatic, but just hear me out for a second. Ever heard the phrase, "Life is about the journey, not the destination"? What about, "Stop and smell the roses"? The list goes on and on. We are in such a hurry to get everything done; we are forgetting what it's like to actually live.

We are putting Halloween decorations up in August, Christmas decorations up in October, Valentine's Day decorations up in January. What's the deal, people? Why are we always in a rush to experience things and then throw them away to move on to the next shallow experience?

We don't take the time anymore. We have to work, go to class, exercise, eat, sleep, do laundry, spend hours mindlessly scrolling through social media. We make lists to fit everything we need to do in what little daylight there is left. Our relationships consist of talking to someone and then moving on when things get tough.

We aren't working through anything, we aren't experiencing anything. We go to zoos, aquariums, museums and we HAVE to see as much as we possibly can before leaving. We don't just sit, meander, reflect. I think there could be a lot of good done in this world if people spent more time together, spent more time on walks, reading, meditating, talking.

We have a tendency as a culture to talk and act. We don't listen. I know I don't always listen. I get so caught up in making my to-do list and I'll miss out on reconnecting with an old friend, going for a walk and just being alone with my thoughts.

I'm trying to learn that it's okay to enjoy the world at the pace it's going. If the Earth were to spin 1 mph faster than it does right now, water would start to gather at the poles, and satellites would be thrown off (see where I'm going with this?) When we spend so much of our time trying to beat time, we're thrown off and not focusing on the important things. If the Earth were to spin 100 mph faster, it would drown.

Don't overwhelm yourself. It's okay to slow down, to enjoy the pace you're going. Hurricanes would be stronger. When we try so hard to keep pace with the world, we get caught in some pretty nasty storms with no preparation. So, enjoy the cappuccino, the rainy days, the heartache, the joy, friends, family, significant others, cozy blankets, corgis, Christmas lights (in December), movies, and laughter. There is so much beauty in this world, don't let it drown.