"There is more to life than increasing its speed."

Every week I watch Hoarders and this actually makes me clean my house like a crazy person.  Hope I never get into a marathon... One result of this is that I keep several binders of articles I plan to use later.  So, this week when I was going through my articles to file, I found this quote, "There is more to life than increasing its speed." Mahatma Gandhi

Gosh, ain't that the truth?  We are always so busy trying to speed through life that I think we often lose sight of the true purpose of life.  We lose sight of what is really important. 

Recently, on several group bike rides, this has happened.  People want to speed through the ride to get done or go here or there...the heck with everyone else.  Now, I know some people can fly through a ride with no extra effort and I know some people can ride to China and back with little effort.  And maybe that is important to those people and that is fantastic.  But it is not important to all members of the group...there are some cyclists that ride their bikes to be social, to exercise and to have fun.  Now, this is only my opinion and really that and $4 can get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks...what is really and truly important to me are people that I care about and want to share the thing I love with.  Realistically, I know this is not important to everyone. 

As a spouse of a fella who spends 9-10 months out of the year somewhere else, I can tell you, without one iota of a doubt, that the seconds you spend with any person you care about are valuable.  We don't want to speed through it.  There is more to life than increasing its speed.  Trust me when I tell you that I would not speed through one second of the time I spend with the Doodle Bug.  And when he is gone, those are the seconds I wish I would have relished more.  I don't want to increase the speed of that because I want to enjoy the more part of this quote.

So, you think...REALLY???  These are just some people I ride with!  Really...These are people you spend the majority of your free time with.  These are the people who can truly understand your passion.  These are the people who will help you when you need it.  Now, are these people more important than your family?  I sure hope not!  But they are people who enjoy the same passion you have and the time you have with them should not be sped through.

Sure, I know people will argue this point and maybe they are right. What do I know? Everyone's idea of important things differs. Here is what I think and agree with Gandhi, "There is more to life than increasing its speed."


In reality, I know we all have different goals.  That is fantastic!  Go for them!  But don't forget about what is truly important and what not to speed through.  What is important to you?  Write it down and put it somewhere that will remind you of the important stuff and what not to speed through.