One of the joys of the internet is the ability to find quotes quickly, either by Googling/googling or by stealing them from someone’s blog. 🙂 I believe the quote I’m using today came from The Writing Sisters blog, although I’m not positive. It fits in perfectly with the current Weekly Photo Challenge, Serenity, or with any discussion of the place of technology, disconnecting for our own good, and so on. But it directly speaks about travel, whether to a place or through life, and what we lose by the hurrying of our journey, a loss brought about so easily by technology and the general pace of life today. Take a few moments to really reflect on this and think what you might do in light of what O’Donohue writes. Then enjoy your Saturday (and Sunday)…slowly and thoughtfully.
Traditionally, a journey was a rhythm of three forces: time, self and space. Now the digital virus has truncated time and space. Marooned on each instant, we have forfeited the practice of patience. . .The self has become anxious for what the next instant might bring. The greed for destination obliterates the journey.
But a great journey needs plenty of time. It should not be rushed; if it is, your life becomes a kind of abstract package tour devoid of beauty and meaning. There is such a constant whirr of movement that you never know where you are. You have no time to give yourself to the present experience. When you accumulate experiences at such a tempo, everything becomes thin. Consequently, you become ever more absent from your life and this fosters emptiness that haunts the heart.
When you take the time to travel with reverence, a richer life unfolds before you. Moments of beauty begin to brand your days. When your mind becomes more acquainted with reverence, the light, grace and elegance of beauty find you more frequently.
This, that and the other thing 
What do I think? I think a lot of people ‘live’ on line rather than in the real world. One day in December I was out taking a walk and saw and felt the first snowflakes of the season. It was kind of magical. Later in the day, a person asked me if I knew we had gotten our first snow this morning, and I replied ‘yes, I was out walking.’ Their response was, ‘I saw it on Facebook.’ I’ll take the walk. 🙂
I’m with you, Judy! The technology that can be such a blessing and joy can also keep us isolated from the real world if we let it. I prefer to let it enhance that world for me, as in taking photos with my iPhone while I’m out there walking. Thanks for weighing in and enjoy your day.
janet
This is a great quote and something that I will carry with me today as I go about my day. Slow down, look around, enjoy—repeat.
Allan, I have a feeling you’re quite good at that already, but a reminder is always good. It’s all to easy to get in a hurry or distracted these days and not only miss smelling the roses, but even seeing them!
janet
I have found that as my health deteriorated and I have had to slow down, I definitely notice far more!
I’m sorry to hear about your health, Sue. Being able to notice more is at least a good, and probably healthful, side effect. It’s certainly healing mentally.
janet
Oh, my health is nothing new… And I try to retain a positive outlook. I wrote a poem a few years ago, soon after diagnosis with MS…. http://suejudd.com/poems/am-i-still-the-same/
Technology – both evil and good … it’s down to us to get our head around and use it in good way and sensible way. People today don’t talk … or look up. They are all walking or sitting with head down over their smart phone. Here is a youtube enter – about looking up. http://youtu.be/Z7dLU6fk9QY – brilliant … have a great weekend.
So many things are good or bad depending upon how you use them. Even texting is great…if it doesn’t take your eyes away from your surroundings and the life going on there. And it’s all bad if you text while driving, yet I see it all the time.
janet
Text while driving is a death sin in my book … I don’t understand how people can be that stupid. Also seen so often people out for meal and all them are just busy on their smart phones. Kids and teens spend the whole day together in school, but don’t communicate until home … and online. Terrible what it has become to. I hope you watch the video the young man has done about looking up.
I haven’t yet, but I will. Many states now have restricted cell phone usage in a vehicle to no-hands only, but I see that law broken all the time. But text is much, much worse, because you have to take your eye from the road to text and even a second of inattention can result in an accident.
Love this modern way of reminding us to stop and smell the roses…thanks for sharing this quote!
My pleasure, John. I really liked it, too.
janet
What an insightful short piece. I’m looking at my Sunday “to do” list and thinking of chucking it in favour of knitting. You can’t hurry knitting and you have to be present. No digital knitting – yet.
I’d be willing to bet that a computer runs the machines that do knitting somewhere, although I know that’s not what you mean. Glad your thought processes were stimulated by the post and the quote, Susanne. Thanks for commenting, too.
janet
Great quote and yes I agree we all need to slow down and live in the moment!
It makes so much difference. Are you back now?
janet
I am in Pennsylvania yes, indefinitely ! Let me know when you are passing by!
The message is clear and insightful. I like it very much. 😎
Me, too. It’s an excellent reminder to slow down and at least see, if not smell, the roses.
janet
Great post. Being technology free for the past few days it was nice to just enjoy what was around me. I was able to unpack without any distractions. 😀
It really is good, isn’t it? I hope you’re getting settled in and you like your new place.
janet
I found it peaceful. But my daughter would still get online. We are slowly settling in and unpacking – just got to find my camera and phone charger now.