Fair Warning: This one might ruin you.
In the best way possible, I mean. 🙂
Quick backstory: Most who know me quickly learn to grin and bear with my constant references to some of the books I savor and ardently recommend.
Which is why, when I hit on a really good read, I consume it a second (or third) time, often in audio book form, just to squeeze all the juice I can out of it.
To this end, I was listening to The Four Hour Workweek while raking some long overdue leaves recently. I remember having my mind blown while reading it when first released way back in 2007. So much so, I figured it was a good re-do candidate, especially since Ferriss expanded & updated it in recent years.
This time, it was the very end that ruined me.
Ferriss ends his book with a powerful, enlightening poem entitled “Slow Dance” by David L. Weatherford, a modest writer who apparently passed away a few years ago. I’m so grateful that Tim somehow ran into his sobering work, and helped it find it’s way into my mind and life.
And quick, final note: Anyone who knows me, already knows of my near death in a major car crash in late 2016—by far the biggest inflection point of my life in multiple ways, permanently changing paradigms and my trajectory in life.
This “Slow Dance” hits at the very heart of one of my biggest lessons learned: BE HERE. NOW.
Without further ado, please enjoy…
Slow Dance
Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round,
or listened to rain slapping the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight,
or gazed at the sun fading into the night?
You better slow down, don’t dance so fast,
time is short, the music won’t last.
Do you run through each day on the fly,
when you ask “How are you?”, do you hear the reply?
When the day is done, do you lie in your bed,
with the next hundred chores running through your head?
You better slow down, don’t dance so fast,
time is short, the music won’t last.
Ever told your child, we’ll do it tomorrow,
and in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch, let a friendship die,
’cause you never had time to call and say hi?
You better slow down, don’t dance so fast,
time is short, the music won’t last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere,
you miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
it’s like an unopened gift thrown away.
Life isn’t a race, so take it slower,
hear the music before your song is over.
Please remember: Be here now.
Would love to hear a comment from you if this resonates or hits a cord in any way. 🙂
—Memento Mori, Memento Aeternum.
What an amazing poem and smack across the head I needed. The whole time I read this I can hear one side of my brain saying “this is you, listen up speedy” while battling the other side of my brain that admits “that which I should do, I do not do”. I have learned to say no to more of life’s to dos so I could focus on spending time with my family. Thank you for the reminder that even if I am missing a highlight of a life event, nothing is more lofty than basking in our time together as a family. Thanks guys. Love you both. Appreciate you sharing.
Thanks for ruining me man!
This is so poignant. I find myself having to relearn the concept of “being here now “ over and over again. It’s like the business of life makes me forget just how precious and temporary life is.
That puts it in perspective. Thanks for sharing JP. This holds true all year but around the holidays it hits home even more. Making the most of time with family!
You did it! Ruined!!
Wow. So simple yet so powerful. It’s so easy to get distracted by the unimportant and jump on that treadmill that keeps accelerating at a faster and faster pace. Great find JP and thanks for sharing.
Great reminder especially this time of year!
Thanks for sharing!
JP, I didn’t know about your accident in 2016; so glad you are still with us. It’s a great book, and the poem is so right.
Thank you, Heather!
Thanks, this was great! I try to be a sponge and soak each days blessings in. I have been very intentional with my time and prioritizing my calendar of events. You don’t have to wait for life to awaken you with a trial when you are surrounded by Lifeonaire’s!