Do you often feel that others are pressuring you, that they expect more from you than they should? Or are you expecting too much of yourself?One way to determine this is to see if you always seem to be late in getting things done. Or if you're always in a hurry. Worried if you have to wait, wait for a seat in a restaurant, wait for the elevator, wait for a bus, or wait for another family member? This constant sense of urgency, of haste is not good.
The point is, living at a very fast pace can harm you physically. According to a California cardiologist with over forty years of experience in treating heart cases, it is the leading cause of heart disease. The other main causes, he says, are smoking, a diet high in meat, milk and eggs, and lack of exercise.
Aware of the value of the exercise, some have tried to adapt it to their commitments. They run around at home or at the gym, change clothes quickly, and, trying to exercise as much as possible in a limited amount of time, try too hard, doing their hearts more harm than good. It may be more beneficial to include healthy exercise in your daily routine, perhaps climbing a few flights of stairs during the day. Or, instead of driving to work or on the bus, some have gotten used to walking halfway or riding a bicycle.
The fact that someone lives very fast can be indicated in several ways. For example, heavy traffic slowing you down keeps you moving, do you hold the steering wheel, the horn, or does it reveal the pressure you are feeling?
Sometimes you can do something positive: switch to an alternate route or maybe stop and make a call to let people know that you think you're stuck in traffic. But if you can't do anything, will your agitation make it better? Better to relax and let your body and mind calm down!
Do you find that you tend to get impatient when you listen to what other people have to say? Stop with phrases like "Let's get right to the point!" Neither you nor the speaker benefit from such emergency demonstrations. But what can you do if you have very little free time?
You can say to the person, “I'm sorry, but I'm busy now. Can we discuss this at another time? If the person is someone very close to you, maybe your son or daughter, you can say, “I really want to talk to you about this. , but now I can't give her the attention she deserves. Can we discuss this when you have time? The person will likely be grateful for their desire to help. And he will feel more comfortable discussing the matter when he can pay more attention to it.
While living too fast doesn't cause heart problems, it can hurt you in other ways. It can cause frustration and rob you of the joy of living and doing things for others. A mother, for example, may be frustrated because her pace tires her so much that she takes little pleasure in spending time with family and friends and little strength for leisure time.
If you are in business, do you think the pressure of work makes you of little interest in other workers, or even your own family? You might be inclined to respond harshly to others. But is it really wise to live at a pace that results in such actions?
Even more serious is the effect that your pace of life can have on your relationship with God: what would you think if your children were so busy that they showed no interest in you or what you were doing for them? Should we show less appreciation for the Great Creator, who gave us life, breath, and all good things? When was the last time you thanked him in prayer or sat down and read the Bible in his Word?
If you are a victim of the fast pace of modern life, try to find the cause. Could it be that, as one doctor said, you are constantly striving to accomplish so much in such a short time? "Yes," you may say, "but what can I do about it?"
One thing you can do is set priorities, perhaps make a list of things that require special attention. So make sure you do the most important things first. Consequently, if some things are neglected, they don't really matter. If you are a wife, you would do well to discuss this list with your husband.
A feeling of rivalry or competition is usually responsible for the excessive behavior of some people. It is easy to become infected with this very important spirit in the world. The solution is to recognize the wisdom of this biblical advice and follow it: "Do nothing out of contention or selfishness, but with humility of mind, considering that others are superior to you."
For many people, the driving force behind their rapid advance is the search for material things, not necessities, but extras. But the question might well be asked: "What is the value of these things if they are acquired only through loss of health or the opportunity to enjoy family?" Wisdom would indicate following divine advice: "Let your lifestyle be free from the love of money, content with the present things. To those who listen to this advice, God promises:" I will not leave you or forsake you under any circumstances.
So take stock. If your pace is too fast, learn to slow down. Take a rhythm that doesn't steal your health, that doesn't frustrate you, or make you stop showing love for others.