“My favorite things in life don’t cost any money. It’s really clear that the most precious resource we all have is time”. – Steve Jobs
Time seems to go by in the blink of an eye. It seems like just yesterday I was a child playing in the sun. The next blink I was graduating high school and off to college. Another blink I landed my first job, and then was married, had children and turned 43. It took a whirlwind weekend in New York to realize how insanely fast life is going and how time never seems to slow down.
I was out dancing with some of my dearest friends from the social good blogging world to Cyndi Lauper’s Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and it struck me how long it had been since I’d heard that song and furthermore how much longer it had been since I let go and danced. It frightened me.
As time seems to be a continuous river, flowing faster and faster each and every day, I need to remind myself to stop and slow down. To reflect. To relax. To enjoy doing absolutely nothing. To tune out of all the chaos, sadness and insanity of this world if only for a moment and learn the art of stillness.
Being in New York City during UN Week with all the chaos and craziness of comings and goings of presidents, prime ministers, celebrities and the Pope, and sitting inside the 92nd Street Y for two days straight during the Social Good Summit, overwhelmed me. Hearing about how so many people in the world are suffering each and every day and how large some of the issues are to tackle- climate change, extreme poverty, equality for all, ending preventable deaths, food security, the refugee crisis and the list continues – can make anyone want to give up. Yet, I also learned there is hope and there is still time.
If each person committed to doing just a little bit of good, imagine what a place it would be. It is true. 
I love this quote. It reminds me to slow down, take a breath and tackle each and every day with compassion, perseverance and hope for a better place. Time will continue to flow at breakneck speed. If it didn’t I’d honestly be bored. Yet, it is also important to remember to stop and smell the roses a little bit. To relax and enjoy spending time with those you love.
“Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present”. –Bil Keane
My children and yours will be the next generation of leaders and change makers in the world. Before we know it, it will be their time to do something. To act. To inspire. To love and to live.
I realized that I have a lot of work to do over the next ten years before they are off into the great big world on their own. I know it will be here before I know it. Before I want it to come. But they and hopefully I will be ready.
I think it has to do with quantum mechanics; how even the littlest act of kindness has the power to transform the World, as it snowballs and eventually turns into a major miracle somewhere half way across the World. Similarly, even the smallest unkind act turns eventually into an unspeakable evil.
Yes very true! Thank you for this thought provoking comment! 🙂
Wonderful post!
Thanks so much!
I think back on the last five years of my life and I can`t believe everything that can happen in such a short period of time. Which does get shorter as I get older. And it makes me know that you truly have to live each day fully and enjoy the journey.
Yes it is so scary isn’t it. I just wish time would slow down but it doesn’t wait up for us to process everything does it. 🙂
I agree that time usually goes much too fast, Nicole. I try to do my small bits (and sometimes larger ones) to make the world a friendlier if not better place. I cherish my slow time, my stop-and-look-around time, my time with people. Our daughters are on either coast, so we don’t see them much. But we still talk, text, and stay close. I’m going to be in Philly this weekend visiting one of them. Hopefully the city has recovered from the Pope’s visit!!
janet
Thanks Janet for the comment! Hope you had fun at your daughters home!
I did, Nicole. The weather was terrible the first day (rain, wind, cold), windy, cloudy and chilly the second day, and warmer with even a bit of sunshine the last day. But we had a good time on all three days.
That’s too bad. But good you got to spend time with your daughter! 😉
And we had a good time. 🙂
A beautiful post Nicole. I know it’s horrific ‘out there’ but I often think it’s all okay. It is what is it. Change happens. Over and over and over. And I have this stupid unshakeable trust that the world will right itself, and love will arise from the messiness. Take time to nurture yourself and your family, and spread that love to the world. I think it’s all that is needed – for each of us to choose love. And I believe that day is on the way. Beautiful photos!
Alison xox
Thanks Alison. Me too. It is hard not to get bogged down by all the depressing awful news but there is a tremendous amount of good too! 🙂
The pictures in this posting of the ocean are where I want to be every day of my life. I love the water more than any other place in the world. I wish that I had a place on the beach somewhere that I could live year round whether it snowed in the winter or it was just chilly in the winter with no snow.
Thanks! Yes I love water too. I have always lived by water. 🙂
I’m finding it easier than I thought, as I enter the last phase with the youngest child. There is still so much to do before she hits 18 in 7 short months but I find myself focussing on just enjoying her. I think when you view this transition with the importance and reverence that you do, it’s an exciting time to watch our kids go off and do good in the world.
Wow, that is wonderful! Yes transition is part of life but I still get so nostalgic! 🙂 Enjoy spending time with your youngest. 🙂
Can’t imagine being in NYC during the UN week! Great photos, Nicole
It was insane but so glad the Pope had left before I got there as I heard it was a mess!
A very thoughtful post, NIcole. Yes, time does go by so fast, and we must make the most of every moment. I love the Desmond Tutu quote, He’s one of the good guys. 🙂
That is so true Sylvia. Do you find you enjoy more of the moment when you are retired? I feel like time just whirls by at breakneck speed. We are always so incredibly busy but I am sure it will be different when the kids are in college!
I guess we do have more time since we’ve been retired, but with hubby working on the house, it doesn’t seem so at the moment. I’m sure that will all change once we’ve moved in and can think about travel again.
Oh I bet your house will be wonderful when completed! 😀
Beautiful post Nicole, and great advice for us all!
Thanks LuAnn!
I think that is as good a philosophy as any, Nicole- to do a little good wherever you are. Just to make somebody smile is a start. Glad you can draw breath now and then. Hold on to those years with your youngsters! 🙂
That is what I always try to remind myself Jo. Even a smile can really go far and a small act of kindness. 🙂
I love you job!! Thanks!
Thanks so much!