Susan 馃悵 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

7 years ago 路 3 min. reading time 路 0 路

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Thursday's Thought: 4.2 seconds or 4 minutes -- What Are YOU Missing?

Thursday's Thought: 4.2 seconds or 4 minutes -- What Are YOU Missing?


Before you read this, please watch the short video below.



A fast-moving montage or a moment-by-moment experience: Which is more powerful?

There is clearly energy in the incredibly fast-moving 4.2 seconds of scenes first shown above. I was pulled into the scenario, and it was fun! For an instant.

Yet, I had no idea what had actually happened. It was a total blur. I had no idea what I'd actually seen -- or missed. Not until I watched the slower version. How could I? It went by way too fast!

As I watched the 4-minute version, I could see many amazing things. Each of the movements was mesmerizing. How did these guys dream this up? Who had the vision? How did they decide what came first, second, last? Why was each section chosen? How many rehearsals did it take -- or did they do it just once and let the results be what they were?

So of course I (and maybe you, too) see it as a metaphor for life. What are we missing due to our nonstop actions? While we're whirling in place, proud of our ability to multi-task, what colors don't we see because we're looking the wrong way? What smiling faces do we miss because we're looking at our cell phones, frantically texting? How many days, weeks, and months clump together in our memory, with precious few details staying with us? How many times does Friday come as a total surprise, with no clear memory of what Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday looked like?

At the end of our life -- what will we remember? The frantic and exhausting race to get everything done, purchased, sold, returned, changed, built, knocked down, fixed, altered, clipped, sent, received, organized, written, photographed, rewritten, wrapped, unwrapped?

Or the beautiful moments that make a life worth living?

Will we remember how it felt to watch the sunsets that took ten minutes to show their brilliant colors unfold?

Will we remember birthday parties with our kids, watching their faces glow in the light of the candles on their cake?

Will we remember the hugs of loved ones that soothed our wounded feelings -- and theirs? That bound us more tightly together in love and gave such comfort? That gave an afterglow that lasted for days?

How about the man on the boat above, looking as if he's dancing in the light? If we had been there watching him on that day -- would we remember wondering about his life? Would we have taken the time to take it all in? What might we have seen, smelled, heard -- if we had taken the time?

Or would we have missed him completely as we rushed off to the next experience, and the next, and the next?

Will we remember gatherings of friends, parties with laughing co-workers, strolls on soft sandy beaches with anyone and everyone, the aroma of cotton candy at a fair, the taste of freshly baked brownies, the giggles of small children, or drives to nowhere just to see what might be around the next curve?

Will these be inside us as warm memories, waiting to be savored again and again?

Or will we have rushed through life, trying to do too much and ending up with the 4.2-second version of the video?

We have a chance to really live -- if we live in the moment.

Maybe this is what growing older does for us: It gives us perspective. It shows us what stays with us, which memories hold a special place in our heart and life, which experiences evoke feelings of having really lived. Of having touched others. Of having made a difference.

It reminds us that time is precious and it's finite, but we still have a chance to shape our future to include things that will be meaningful for us.

4.2 seconds or 4 minutes? We have a choice. What will be yours?


I would really value your thoughts on this.

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Comments
Something I wrote a month or so ago -- do you rush through life, too?
CityVP \ud83d\udc1d Manjit, thanks so much for sharing my post here! I really appreciate it.
#24
Lisa Gallagher, I actually would prefer something like that to living with anyone again. I've been single now for about 15 years, but there are certainly nice things about being paired up. I just also need my own space . . . no one argues with me about anything, which of course has both upsides and downsides. I rule. But I also goof. Hmmmm.
#6
Thank you for that, Praveen Raj Gullepalli!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #19

#23
Oh... oh... I have a great idea, my husband and I can get matching small homes next door to each other! I could handle that haha! Or maybe he will let me get one just for me?? I don't think he could handle that one! ;-) I would LOVE it.
#22
Trust me, Lisa Gallagher, you would! It's really small (although there is a full basement, which helps!), but it has 15' ceilings, no walls (except for the bathroom), and a sun porch that is all windows, which overlook the bay. It's on the southwest side of the cottage, so yes -- the sunsets are amazing. I plan to be here for a looooooooong time!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #17

#17
I think I could seriously handle living like that if I were alone! Ah, the sunsets must be amazing. I'm glad you're happy, thats what matters!
#3
And thank you so much for letting me/us know you enjoyed it, @Angela Letona! I appreciate knowing that and also that you're sharing it with your connections.
#9
And to think it was a random FB post that I first saw, Irene Hackett that led me to this! Yes, I love that vieo myself; it's a real hoot! And thank you for sharing the post to your connections! I hope they appreciate it as well.
#11
And Don Kerr, thank YOU for those very kind words! I appreciate your continued contributions on my posts, and I certainly will appreciate your sharing any of them, especially this one. Especially at this time of year, but hopeful far beyond.
#8
As they say, @Joe Barbosa, those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it. I like taking time to reflect on where I've been, where I am, and where I might still be going. Thanks for contributing to this conversation!
#5
Lisa Gallagher, wasn't it, though? I couldn't believe how much work must have gone into it after I saw all the details. And it did make me laugh, which is always a good thing. Yes, some of my friends still are a bit frantic, but having purchased, renovated, and moved to my tiny 525 s.f. cottage on the Bay here in Massachusetts, I've relaxed a LOT. How much do I need, anyway? Very little. My wonderful dogs. Heat now that it's winter. A few friends to talk with, walk with, and hug. Seriously amazing sunsets. It's a long list, and I'm enjoying every minute of it. Thanks for continuing your support for my posts; I really appreciate it.
#12
Ken Boddie, as usual you're cracking me up! And yes, auto correct is a terror . . . and to your point in your other comment, I'm also much more careful now to "smell those roses" because at my age, I have a much shorter time in front of me than behind me. Pure fact. So I want to make sure I leave this existence happy that I LIVED. Thanks for your continued support and contributions to my posts.
#14
Thanks so much, @Tony Rossi! I appreciate your comment and that you shared my post.
Thank you so much, Javier beBee, for sharing my post! I really appreciate that!

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #8

In connection with my #4 below, it appears I am merely 'loosening' my senses rather than 'losing' them. There goes that autocorrect enema again. 馃槃

don kerr

7 years ago #7

Susan Rooks one of the most insightful and inspiring posts written unveiling the benefits of facing adversity and living in the present moment. Thank you for sharing this gift with me. It was much needed and moving. Will share broadly.

Jan 馃悵 Barbosa

7 years ago #6

As of now technology is moving us to faster moving but impersonal world... We chat in our phones instead of speaking and sometimes have reduced the power of a Sentence into a single Emoji yet we always feel we lack time.... Not in Control of our destinies... Yes... after a few decades we understand that while thinking of the possibilities of the Future we lost the past.

Jan 馃悵 Barbosa

7 years ago #5

As of now technology is moving us to an impersonal world... We chat in our phones instead of speaking and sometimes have reduced the power of a Sentence into a single Emoji !!!! Great read !!! 馃憤

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #4

Hi Susan Rooks, I'd like to first say- wow... the video was mind-blowing.! I can only speak for myself but I try hard to remind myself a lot that life is finite. I try to appreciate the simple things in life that in my mind, really are quite complex yet stored in my memory bank forever. I see some people who are on the fast track and forget to stop and enjoy the simple pleasures which can bring the most pleasure. Simple pleasures help to relax our mind and take stock in what really matters too. I'm always striving to enjoy what's right in front of me more as I grow older. I'm trying to remember that it's a good thing to slow down and find the child within. Sometimes I get sad because I'm surrounded by a few who can't seem to slow their brains long enough to see what is right in front of them.

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #3

You challenge us with one of life's great conundrums, Susan. When do we race through our programmed tasks, managing them and the many roadblocks and interruptions that come our way, with efficiency, and when do we stop and smell the roses? I lean on the pause button more often these days, Susan, than in my youth, but am ever fearful that waiting, without absorbing the fragrance of life, may lead to wasteful procrastination. Such a pity that our senses of sight, taste and smell loose their efficiency at the time in life when we choose to use them most. 馃
#1
Thank you so much, John White, MBA, for sharing the post! And see? I can see that you did just that.

John White, MBA

7 years ago #1

Great article, Susan Rooks! I shared it into three additional hives.

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