time and space and the big rat-race

I've been doing some reading lately, and pondering.  I quote:
"Life in Modern-day America is essentially void of time and space.  Not the Star Trek kind.  The sanity kind.  The time and space that once existed in the lives of people, who regularly lingered after dinner, helped the kids with homework, visited with the neighbors, sat on the lawn swing, went for long walks, dug in the garden, and always had a full night's sleep.  People are exhausted.  People are stressed.  people are breaking the speed limit of life.  People are overloaded.  We need more time.  We need more space.  We need more reserves.  We need more buffer.  We need time to rest, and space to heal. "
(Richard Swenson, The Overload Syndrome)
This totally struck a chord, particularly living in Northern Virginia in conjunction with being a parent. I refuse to live this way.  I don't care what my refusal means - less money, smaller home, less light friendships, less "well-roundedness" for my children.  I won't allow the sacrifice of peace in my home or peace in my heart.  And I ponder, is it really possible to become a "still axis within the revolving wheel of relationships, obligations, and activities." - (The Gift of the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh - an incredible book, I might add).  Can a mom of two young 'uns be ruled by something other than chaos, lack-of-time, and exhaustion? 

The answer to that question is yes, by the way. 

Comments

[kirsten]

Here, here! Or is it, hear, hear? Either way, I agree!