The Soup We Are In

Most of the time, even when we don’t really need to be rushing (and sometimes without realizing we are rushing) a really large percentage of us rush anyhow.

Seems we are angled forward, always striving to get ahead.

I get it.

It’s the soup we are in.

Our society conflates productivity, hurriedness, and worth.

We take on the flavors around us.

The only thing is, we have the option to step out of the soup.

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A common apologue—an allegory with a moral—tells us that if a frog is put into boiling water, it will jump out, but if the frog is put in tepid water that is slowly brought to a boil, the frog will not perceive the danger and will be cooked to death.

The only thing is, it’s not true—frogs aren’t stupid; they jump out when the water gets too hot.

Moreover, I found on the internet—frogs put into boiling water don’t jump out—they die.

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Rest—being content with what is—is anti-capitalist.

Patriarchy devalues rest.

Stop and you might (or will) fall behind.

One is supposed to be:

Doing.

Productive.

Making.

Advancing.

Achieving.

Contributing.

Creating.

Building.

Accomplishing.

Not resting.

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I’ve noticed that in the few minutes between appointments, I try to accomplish as many little tasks as possible.

Checking email and glancing at social media notifications.

Do I have another moment until my next appointment?

I’ll fill it.

To get more done.

To be more productive.

To rush and cram in as much as possible.

A habit that causes undue stress.

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Productivity isn’t synonymous with hurry.

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I meditate 20 minutes most every day.

Twenty minutes is 40 half-minutes.

80 fifteen-second increments.

What if I didn’t meditate for 20 minutes all at once and instead applied 80 small units of respite throughout my day?

Could I, in one day, pause 80 times for 15 seconds?

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Here’s a gift.