What’s the rush? Lessons from a fall
July 16, 2010 by Marguerite Orane
Filed under Be Present, Featured Posts
On Tuesday, I had 3 very important appointments – a job interview, a meeting about my next book and a telephone conference call with a client in Barbados. I also was in the throes of preparing a proposal that had to be submitted by Thursday and organizing the midterm examination for my students at Ryerson. Busy, busy day …..
That all changed in an instant – rushing to go upstairs to get ready, I slipped and fell, hitting my head against the wall. One pair of broken glasses and 3 stitches later, I headed to bed. A call to my appointments yielded understanding and concern with my wellbeing and a willingness to reschedule at my convenience. When I called Barbados to have the meeting, my client asked if we could reschedule the call for the next day. All of a sudden, all the things I “had” to do, were not going to get done that day. And it was OK.
As in everything that happens in my life, I try to see the lesson. As I lay on the ground holding my head, I heard my mom’s voice clearly “Marguerite, you are doing too much”. And I realized that I had overloaded my life with tons of “have to dos”. This experience taught me that there is NOTHING I HAVE to do. Everything is a choice. Not everything needs to be done. Everything can wait. Everything will be done in the divinely ordered time.
As I calmly floated to the rescheduled appointments yesterday, I observed how relaxed I was, how unhurried as I arrived in good time and great mood. I was in a state of ease, grace and joy – I was present. What’s the rush? None at all. Just Divine Time.
Wonderful lesson MO. Thanks for sharing with us.
Marguerite, u r the best, u can take a lesson from anything and write good about it too. U don’t have to compete to know if u r the best if writing is ur gift from God: then all u have to do is write. Have u tried friction writing, i bet u could make tons of money off those. Keep sweet my dear friend.
Marguerite,
Divine Order indeed! You have certainly put things in perspective. What’s the rush!
Glad you were well enough to keep your appointments the following day.
All’s well that ends well.
Daisy
2 of my Mom’s favorite sayings: One thing at a time and that well done. -or- One day at a time and that well done.
Question: How is your head?
xo
So true Margie
This is something I practice as much s I can in my life … divine time divine order … we receive so many blessings each day and if we are wise, we see them all and embrace them and give thanks!
Elsa
Thanks Leachim – what’s the sense of learning a lesson if you don’t share it? Hope it helps others!
Thanks Patrick. Yes, it is a good approach to look for the lesson. And the lesson is always for your good.
Bless you
Thanks Daisy! All is very well. The whole time I was in the doctor’s appointment I sang my little laughter song to myself “Every little cell in my body is well”. It worked!
the good Lord knows why he/she gave us thick skulls!!!!! I am fine
So true Elsa – we receive TONS of blessings each day and don’t even realise it because we are so busy … rush rush rush …. when we slow down, we can give thanks.
Thank God you are alive, lesson slow down,and stay spiritually connected.Everthing is gonna be alright.
Thanks Patsy – I have really learned that lesson – the “hard” way, based on the lick to my head!
My Dad’s favourite caution whenever I was rushing to do a million things was “When in a hurry, take time”. I used to brush him off in my mad rush to get it all done, which of course usually meant I would not accomplish all the thing I set out to do, because of the high stress. Why is wisdom only present in hindsight?
Carol – what wise words from your dad! Wisdom can only be present in the moment. Situations like the fall, bring you to the present. When I hit my head, I immediately let go of the past (all the things I had done that morning) and the future (all the things I had to do). My focus was on that moment, and that moment only. So I was able to see very clearly and wisely that “when in a hurry, take time”. To be present is to be wise. And to be wise, be present.
Thanks so much for sharing your insights
Hi Margie,
Glad you’re ok. What a moving insight by you. It’s helping me right now! Rev Ann Shand at church set us this homework
1. set our intention
2. pay attention
3. release the tension.
Let go and let God.
Love.
Baba
Marguerite: I am glad that you are all right and did not get a concussion or something more serious. I needed to hear that message. When you talk about busy… my schedule beats all!!
Judy – thanks for your good wishes. normally, I would try to outcompete you in terms of who is busiest – now, you may run that race by yourself – I am chillin’ …. free and laughing of course!
Interesting link you make to Rev. Shand. I did set my intention – but did not pay attention nor release the tension. hence, the fall. Thankfully, the lick that I got on the head seemed to have knocked some sense. Now, whenever I find myself rushing I stop and remember – there is no rush!
Letting go …. and letting God is a really, really good thing
Love you
Margie