simply stephen
green living – made simple
Part of the Take Time To Smell The Roses
15 Jun2009
Do you take time to smell the roses?
Seriously?
Stop and think about it for a moment, that is if you aren’t too busy. The world has become a demanding place. Perhaps it always was and those demands have just changed over the years. Now days, long work hours with even longer commute times, financial demands, technology changes, instant news, cellphones, emails, social media, fast food, fast this and fast that…how does everyone keep up?
Time to Recharge
Well, contrary to what you may think, most of us don’t stop very often! That stress builds up. Something or someone is getting neglected. Could be your health or even a precious loved one? But usually that something is ourselves. If you stop to smell the roses, it offers you a chance to recharge.
I don’t have time.
Excuses are usually the barriers in life that stop us from enjoying it. Isn’t that one of the reasons we are here? To enjoy life. Time is not a barrier, it is an excuse.
Did you have time for your coffee? To read the morning paper? To watch a TV Show? To check your eMail?
Okay, you get the point. There are many more things to add to the above list that are actually just something you are doing to pass the time. Remember that recharge I mentioned above. Yeah, that one. That is what will give you the energy to get things done.
But I like my pace! Okay, so keep it, but realize just like sleep that your body needs to be rewarded with positive experiences too. Instead of racing down the highway at 30 over the limit. Try going the speed limit and taking in the scenery. Note the things you never saw before. Take a walk and start to look at the houses, the flowers, the people, the children in the park. I mean – really, really look a them. The choices are endless and the rewards are only there if you try it.
I actually stop and smell the roses. If they are wild ones, I may even eat a few petals, very sweet and nutritious. But the point is your roses could be anything. Stop and take the time to admire your loved ones. Look at the birds from your kitchen window. You decide, just make sure that it involves observation and deliberate actions. You will thank yourself later.
13 Responses to Take Time To Smell The Roses
Tess The Bold Life
June 16th, 2009 at 7:33 am
We are in sync! I like how you tied “roses” to so many different things. And it is so true. I stopped driving through yellow lights years ago when I realized what I was doing. I also began taking different routes to work just because I could.
Since we moved to Arizona I miss flowers from Michigan. When I return to visit my family I also take time to look, smell and smile at them.
The list on my site really turned into more than I thought. So many things to be grateful for that I really don’t think about!
MJ Doyle
June 16th, 2009 at 10:34 am
It’s funny how people say they don’t have time to recharge their batteries when really they can’t afford not to. So much time and energy is wasted if we don’t take care of ourselves and enjoy our surroundings. Great post!
Davina
June 18th, 2009 at 1:38 am
Hi Stephen. I do stop to smell the roses. And today, for the first time in many weeks, I had the luxury of sleeping in! No more crazy deadlines to meet. I feel like a kid whose school has just been closed for the summer. One thing I like to practice is to walk noticeably slower. I tend to walk quickly, so this is a good exercise to literally slow down.
admin
June 18th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Tess…it really is quite a world to explore, right in front of our very eyes. Especially if we slow down.
MJ…I think you’ve given me a whole new post idea on the value of time. It’s amazing what a little bit of working smarter not working more will do! Imagine all that extra time to recharge and enjoy.
Davina…I hope those roses smell extra sweet for you today. Sounds like you deserve it. I’m a very quick walker too – taking a saunter instead is a great practice. Deliberate actions really are fulfilling.
graceonline
June 18th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Quite often I take my one year old granddaughter on walks around her neighborhood. We always stop to smell the roses–and a lot of other pretties. She’s learning to enjoy her olfactory sense at a young age and now leans into flowers as we pass them. Recently, her mama received an armful of red roses. Every day we must step to the vase and inhale sweetness.
Hugh
June 18th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
I enjoyed your post. I think that the original concept of keeping the sabbath was based on the same line of thinking. We need time to slow down and appreciate the beauty of creation.
admin
June 18th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Kathryn, I remember bringing home dandelions (which are actually beautiful and not a weed). Each generation seems to move up in the world…roses, how nice.
With a Grandmother like you, I think she will learn to enjoy each moment.
Sara
June 26th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Stephen,
As I love taking pictures of flowers, I actually do “stop and smell the roses”…well, at least as the bees make room. However, I didn’t know you could eat rose petals…that’s very interesting!
On the other hand, I get your point and it is on the mark. We do need to take time to relax. I usually sit on my porch and watch the birds eating at my feeder or enjoying the bird bath…it’s my favorite way to get sane again…if only for a few minutes. Great post and thanks:~)
Jeremy
June 27th, 2009 at 2:59 am
I generally try to avoid roses, to me they are a little sickly sweet. However, I will always stop for jasmine. OK, I know that’s not the point. But, I appreciate the post. With the birth of my new daughter last weekend, I have had plenty of opportunities to stop and just reflect on so many things. Many are scary, but the simple fact that I took the time to contemplate them is a relief in and of itself.
Great post!
simply stephen
July 1st, 2009 at 9:24 am
Sara…generally, wild rose petals taste better then commercial garden brands but there are many flowers and plants that are a nice addition to a salad or meal.
Sometimes when I watch birds or look out over the lake the time slips away on my…lots of time. That is when I really know I’ve slowed down. But a few minutes is just as valuable.
Jeremy…roses are quite sweet. Again, congratulations on the birth of your daughter. A perfect example of why it is important to smell those roses. Your daughter will thank you when it counts and you will get over all the fears by contemplating and not dwelling on the important parts while enjoying them as you go.
Thanks you to everyone for taking the time to smell the roses here at simply stephen.
admin
July 1st, 2009 at 9:31 am
Hugh…sorry, I took so long to respond, I was busy working on my 90 Day Free Hugs Challenge and am finally catching up.
We need to take time every day, but the design of a common day off can not only benefit us by spending it with family and friends but to appreciate the wonders that nature and the world offers us.
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