How to stop 'running the rat race'? Do you think the world is just too fast paced?
Sometimes I feel that there are toom many walls, too many rules and too many people. I occasionally crave to leave civilisation behind for a life in the wildernes.
It is just daydreaming. I don't have the right sort of partner for it. I like the solitude, but can I stand it for a long time? However I keep dreaming about it. What about you?
Yes- I feel the same as you do at times...the need to "get away form it all"!
I think the world systems are creating a sense of urgency and placing unneeded demands on us that we readily buy into. We can't all live in the quiet countryside, but we can all take moments to enjoy quiet. We are designed to have times of solitude so we can reflect on life and take stock of our own sense of wellness. In the Christian faith, we are taught that we need a day of rest each week. This is a rest from noise and "busy-ness". It is a time to unwind, pray, meditate, reflect, relax, and mend. We need moments to enjoy God and the beauty of our surroundings. There is a saying to "stop and smell the roses". Both of these require 2 purposeful actions on our parts- stop and smell. It is up to us to be purposeful in our pursuit of quiet.
What ever your belief or faith, your human body requires times of quiet and rest. We have to keep the world from robbing us of that.
I couldnt agree more and I guess I kind of did just that when I moved here, although total escape is impossible. When I was your age (i suspect anyway) computers were the size of a classroom and fed with punchcards.. sounds archaic but... actually it isnt all that long ago. The biggest change I have seen is that the pace of change has changed.. become almost frantic. And although technology has enriched our lives, it hasnt actually made it much easier. Quite the opposite... it (and society as a whole) has created the illusion of increased choice but reduced it in practice...
It is still possibe to find solitude, beauty and inspiration, even around us; I experience that almost daily. And that is what makes my life worthwhile and what I write about. But I have to look for it hard. And more inside myself than expecting it to be presented to me, but that isnt necessarily a bad thing..
I think Paul Gibson's has a good point. We are constantly bombarded with messages about the choices we have. But at the same time, almost everything has become a commodity and everything is alike. If it weren't for the some signs, one would not know the airline one is flying or in what country one is when frequenting certain hotel chains. Retailers are constantly consolidating, limiting choices for customers.
We are also constantly bombarded with messages that we should do this, that, and the other thing while giving our lives to our employer. It is up to each individual to find a balance, go against the standards, and find inner peace. And yes, I do know that this is easier said than done, but it is a worthy goal.
Lily Tomlin once said something like: "The trouble with winning the rat race is that you're still a rat."
Yes, too many rules and too many people. The latter leads to the former.
"Whatever your cause, it is a lost cause without population control."
I think this is a common issue today; it's easy to feel overwhelmed. I call it the "90 Second Economy" as we are faced with more media channels (Web, TV, Radio, Print) than every before in our history.
What we need to do, I think, is learn to manage these "channels" and learn to turn things off. We created all these choices, included in that choice is the ability to turn it off. Perhaps we just need to remember that sometimes?
It is fast and getting faster. If you don't step off for a while, there is no time for reflection. No time to let things percolate before the next thing comes at you. Go somewhere where the cell phone doesn’t work and there is no internet access and think for a while. It will do you good.
yes it is possible to run away but yes initially solitude will be boring and difficult to live with since the high energy of frantic living is like a drug- it keeps you going and leaves you little time to reflect and sometimes reflection can turn up very stressful things.
you could start by building half way houses so that you set aside some time every day for living the way you want to and then gradually enlarge that gap. or spend some days away doing what you want to do and then enlarge that period.
I am reminded of the tale of the Chinese and the American. both were ravelling together and the American suggested they take a faster train as it would get them to their destination ten minutes faster. Both get there and the Chinese sits down at the station and begins to look around. The American is exasperated at why the guy is wasting time they had just saved and the Chinese replies,” we just saved ten minutes did we not? why can we not then sit down and enjoy the cool breeze"
Do you think ... Rats have a mind ?
No ... they blindly Follow, the mythical Pied Piper... !
Thats where the idea of "rat race" originally came from ...
Animal actions are Instinctive, thus, Impulse-driven ... The human Actions should be Deliberated, hence, be well Considered Actions ... this difference, distinguishes the Humans, from Animals.
Once you understand this, you will stop Running.
Beata, you'd asked about a life in the wilderness. A long time ago, I had the same question. While in college, I worked a couple of Summers for the US Forest Service--maintaining trails in a wilderness area and fighting forest fires.
It was definitely a learning experience. One of several conclusions: Nature is a part of who I am, but I have intellectual needs as well.
When I was in better health, a day-hike once a week would almost satisfy my Nature Jones. I'm fortunate to live in California's Central Valley. During the Summer, the high country of the Northern Sierra Nevada Mountains is within driving range. The river canyons of the Sierra foothills (aka the Gold Country) are closer, and are best enjoyed during the cooler months. And the rugged coast North of San Francisco is an inspiration anytime.
Even though I don't hike as much as I used to, it's comforting to know that I can easily get away from it all when I really need to.
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