Let’s slow down for a second. Inhale and slowly exhale. Just breathe. Isn’t our world fast? Today everything just seems to be so sped-up!
You hurry to get showered and dressed for your day. You hurry through your first cup of coffee. You hurry to get out the door, drop the kids off and hurry to work.
You hurry all day long to meet deadlines, to get projects finished, to make your conference calls, your meetings and answer emails. You hurry to get through traffic to get home, you hurry to get dinner done, you hurry to eat, you hurry through the dishes, you hurry to bed and when you wake up, it starts all over again.
We just hurry through our lives. Sometimes, I think we do it and don’t even realize it. It has become a way of life, a lifestyle.
I remember a slower, simpler time–the old days. Back when things were much simpler. And calmer. And nicer. And more peaceful.
Sometimes I wish I could just rewind back to the old days and press pause. Just for a little while. I miss the old days.
Remember when we used to do crazy things on swings? We wouldn’t just sit and swing. We’d stand up on the swing seats and fly through the air. Yes, it was crazy and dangerous, but we did it.
And remember when Sunday afternoons weren’t for resting and relaxation? Sunday was the day we took our Sunday drive. We never had plans, but that didn’t matter. We just drove. If we happened to see someone we wanted to talk to, we’d get out, sit on the porch and talk for a while.
And the chores we had to do back then just for the home to run efficiently-remember defrosting the refrigerator? Everything in the freezer would ice over and you would have to spend hours defrosting it.
And there weren’t any large stores like Wall-Mart and Target. Nope. Back then, we made do with a A&P and a Woolworths. And we were so grateful to get to go to these stores. Back in the day, those were fabulous!
Christmas didn’t begin until the Sears Catalog came. And if we wanted to call someone, we actually had to look up their name in a phone book. And if Mother wanted the channel changed on the TV, there were no remote controls. Back then, children were the remotes. We just got up and changed the channel.
When you had something come apart, you sewed it back together. And that went for clothes and anything else you could get a needle through. We always got new clothes and shoes for Easter. Because Easter was as important (or more than) Christmas. We loved it. Mama made all our clothes and we were always the best dressed kids anywhere!
In today’s fast world, I miss the old days.
Sending you blessings of love and gratitude from Sterrett, Alabama!
Charity M. Richey-Bentley
Harriet says
I remember those days & we didn’t sit staring at a thing we held in our hand that kept us in touch with our friends. We met them outside & played games ’till our mothers called us for supper. We couldn’t wait ’till the dishes & homework were done to get out to play again. We didn’t expect dad or mom to drive us anywhere, we walked or rode our bikes.& Saturday we spent our 5 cent allowance at the movies. THOSE WERE THE DAYS!
Charity M. Richey-Bentley says
Weren’t those days the very best days?!
Thank you for being here and praying with us.
God bless and keep you.
Charity
Linda says
This is so true! But will we ever learn to slow down. I’m not sure!
Charity M. Richey-Bentley says
You’re right. I’m afraid that we’ll always move fast now.
God bless and keep you.
Charity
Jonathan says
Yes I wholeheartedly agree with you. I Wish all this technology would SLOW DOWN, That’s what has ruined this country BY FAR!!! Used to everybody helped each other not anymore! Now everybody’s in a RUSH, RUSH, RUSH!!!
Charity M. Richey-Bentley says
I find that too. We all move so fast through life now.
May God bless and keep you.
Charity
Katrina says
I so miss those days so many have come and gone and we cant change those who have passed away but it was truly fun growing up biking walking running playing sports for fun playing tag and red light green light and statues so miss those days and we didnt have cell phones we wanted to talk we call them up to come over or we stand outside and talk with neighbors
Charity M. Richey-Bentley says
Weren’t those days wonderful?! I loved them.
God bless and keep you.
Charity
Sandi says
Those were the days! We always found something to do or play outside. Like kick ball, colored eggs, batmitten, baseball, riding bikes or just walking & hanging out with friends. We need better than to say ” I’m bored!” Or “there’s nothing to do!” Our moms/ parents would surely take care of our “boredom problem, real quick!” We knew better than talk back to our parents or any other elders or even raise our voices in the slightest! Kids these days are so disrespectful & feel entitled to anything & everything that they see or want! It seems to me that they feel like they are their parents equal or even above them! It’s a shame! Ask kids these days to get up and change the channel on the TV and they would probably say why do I have to do it? I’m not the maid or something like I’m tired my legs hurt & so on!
Charity M. Richey-Bentley says
I appreciate your comments. They hit home.
Thank you for being here with us.
Charity
Cathy Adams says
Yes, that was the good old days. Only those that was there knew what it was like. Didn’t know what we was getting for Christmas, but we was always satisfied. Go to grandparents house after church on Sunday. Played outside, make up games to play. Running after each other. Playing hide and seek. That was the good old days.
Charity M. Richey-Bentley says
Amen to everything you said. Thank you for being here with us.
Charity
Heather says
Sometimes I think that the Amish have it right!
Charity M. Richey-Bentley says
I’m laughing.
May God Bless and keep you.
Charity
Vivian says
I wish we go back to the Old days and Old school
Charity M. Richey-Bentley says
Me too! Thank you for being here with us.
Charity
Lena Brower says
I certainly miss growing up in the 50’s & 60’s, everything was so much better and real,fun, and setting around the table telling about our day at school and looking forward to coming home and getting chores done and supper started, then Mom would come in and finish it. When my grew up in 70’,80’s & 90’s was even good and we raised them like I was raised by always setting at the table for supper and now days families are way to busy, both parents have to work when their are 2 parents but I have 2-son in laws that are pretty good fathers, not as good as my Dad was but it’s the times and fast pace for everything!! And kids that expect and never quit wanting, of course I’m guilty, David spoiled me when everything I wanted and he & I loved finally being able to go to the store with a calculator and doing stuff for the grandkids cause they have been my life for many years, and now I wished I would have stayed at home more with David but I can’t do that to myself cause I know he wouldn’t want me too. I intend to enjoy my life and do things I want to do regardless of what anybody thinks.
Charity M. Richey-Bentley says
Thank you for sharing with us.
God bless and keep us.
Charity