We live in an 'ex-presso' society
June 2023 | Being connected
But when did this urgency, this need for immediacy come into fashion? Become expected? Become the norm?
It seems people are becoming more and more unaware that everything is not 'quick fix', 'fast' this and that. There will be people, myself included, who aren't into the now common 'urgent' society.
So I ask -
Whatever happened to attentiveness?
Whatever happened to service?
Whatever happened to patience?
There is no 'quick fix' for many issues that confront our world. This includes the environment, reconciliation and understanding. Everything worth something takes time. It takes time to build relationships, it takes time to mend broken hearts, and it takes time to create a world of harmony and unity. All too quickly we can tear down a relationship, we can break someone's heart through thoughtless words and actions. And all too quickly we have division and discord.
In a world of 'quick fixes' - popping a pill to feel better, taking drugs, drinking excessively, overindulging, gambling, focusing on the meaningless - ultimately there is no 'quick fix'. When we wake up in the morning, whatever it was we were wanting to 'fix' in the first place is still there.
Why is it then that more and more people are focussing only on momentary fulfilment? Focussing on the need for 'urgency'?
This is where dementia can teach us much. When it comes to dementias, there is no 'quick fix'. As much as we would like a cure or ironclad prevention strategies, there is no 'quick fix'.
What is crucial, is taking time. Even though the issue of 'time' can be problematic in itself. The concept of time has even puzzled physicists.
But I know how precious 'time' with someone can be. Time seems so short, and we just want more. We can become greedy for time, which is understandable. But at the same time, it's important to treasure what we have. Even though we may feel cheated of time, and it can be a hard road to travel, we need to make 'time' and slow down.
We are all desperate for the 'quick-fix' - to make it right, to make it better. I'm reminded of the image of the mother kissing the 'boo-boo' to make it all go away, as the child sits on the ground in tears, grazed knee and all, as the wheels spin on the push-bike in the background.
But sometimes there isn't a 'quick-fix'. Sometimes we need to take the time. Sometimes we need to find alternatives.
What we can do, is to start to slow down. Create moments of meaning wherever we go. In the supermarket, at the petrol station, at the train station. Be patient and don't expect or demand faster service or delivery times - allow those trying to provide the service to 'slow down' too.
Allow them time to not be harassed and feeling depressed at the end of the day because of the demands of their work.
We can all get things wrong, we can all make mistakes.
But we can start building our world, rather than tearing it down.
So let's band together and let go of the 'ex-presso' society, this 'ex-presso' need for urgency, our 'ex-presso' demands, and start building a world of substance and patience. A world of meaning, of understanding, and above all respect.
For the sake of humankind, for children, adults, and adolescents, and for the sake of our world and all its inhabitants - let's take time. Take time to listen. Take time to hear. Take time to respect the problems another person faces. And acknowledge that we are not alone.
Let's take time - to connect.
Until next time.
Stay safe. Keep listening. Never stop learning.
Be patient and take time.
< Back
It seems people are becoming more and more unaware that everything is not 'quick fix', 'fast' this and that. There will be people, myself included, who aren't into the now common 'urgent' society.
So I ask -
Whatever happened to attentiveness?
Whatever happened to service?
Whatever happened to patience?
There is no 'quick fix' for many issues that confront our world. This includes the environment, reconciliation and understanding. Everything worth something takes time. It takes time to build relationships, it takes time to mend broken hearts, and it takes time to create a world of harmony and unity. All too quickly we can tear down a relationship, we can break someone's heart through thoughtless words and actions. And all too quickly we have division and discord.
In a world of 'quick fixes' - popping a pill to feel better, taking drugs, drinking excessively, overindulging, gambling, focusing on the meaningless - ultimately there is no 'quick fix'. When we wake up in the morning, whatever it was we were wanting to 'fix' in the first place is still there.
Why is it then that more and more people are focussing only on momentary fulfilment? Focussing on the need for 'urgency'?
This is where dementia can teach us much. When it comes to dementias, there is no 'quick fix'. As much as we would like a cure or ironclad prevention strategies, there is no 'quick fix'.
What is crucial, is taking time. Even though the issue of 'time' can be problematic in itself. The concept of time has even puzzled physicists.
But I know how precious 'time' with someone can be. Time seems so short, and we just want more. We can become greedy for time, which is understandable. But at the same time, it's important to treasure what we have. Even though we may feel cheated of time, and it can be a hard road to travel, we need to make 'time' and slow down.
We are all desperate for the 'quick-fix' - to make it right, to make it better. I'm reminded of the image of the mother kissing the 'boo-boo' to make it all go away, as the child sits on the ground in tears, grazed knee and all, as the wheels spin on the push-bike in the background.
But sometimes there isn't a 'quick-fix'. Sometimes we need to take the time. Sometimes we need to find alternatives.
What we can do, is to start to slow down. Create moments of meaning wherever we go. In the supermarket, at the petrol station, at the train station. Be patient and don't expect or demand faster service or delivery times - allow those trying to provide the service to 'slow down' too.
Allow them time to not be harassed and feeling depressed at the end of the day because of the demands of their work.
We can all get things wrong, we can all make mistakes.
But we can start building our world, rather than tearing it down.
So let's band together and let go of the 'ex-presso' society, this 'ex-presso' need for urgency, our 'ex-presso' demands, and start building a world of substance and patience. A world of meaning, of understanding, and above all respect.
For the sake of humankind, for children, adults, and adolescents, and for the sake of our world and all its inhabitants - let's take time. Take time to listen. Take time to hear. Take time to respect the problems another person faces. And acknowledge that we are not alone.
Let's take time - to connect.
Until next time.
Stay safe. Keep listening. Never stop learning.
Be patient and take time.
< Back