The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
It’s funny, really. You hear it all the time…
“Hey how are you?”
“Busy. Really busy.”
“Same as always – busy.”
“Travel soccer started up with the kids. So….. BUSY.”
We usually utter the word “busy” with an air of annoyance.
Yet we must secretly like the feeling (or at least get a solid dopamine kick from it)… Because we continue the cycle week after week and year after year, until family vacation comes around (which for some of y’all, is just as busy!).
We all need rest. And we need it now.
Americans are BUSY.
A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2019 revealed that 56% of Americans feel as though they are “always” or “often” rushed. In stark contrast, countries known for their emphasis on work-life balance, such as Denmark and Norway, reported significantly lower percentages of individuals feeling constantly rushed. Granted, Covid-19 may have slowed us down a hot second, but the word on the street is people are back at their busy schedules even more aggressively than before. Stress-related illnesses have become rampant, and anxiety levels are soaring.
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.
Our family team at United Faith Mortgage feels that crunch just as much as anyone else. Especially since we run a company together.
So when we heard about this book “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer, we were curious.
It’s a compelling call to action for all of us to break free from the chains of busyness and embrace a slower, more intentional way of living.
Comer reflects on the nature of our hurried lives, stating, “Hurry isn’t just a disordered schedule. Hurry is a disordered heart… We fill every inch of silence with music, podcasts, television, or the sound of our own voice. We are always listening to something or someone. But to listen to someone, we have to stop talking. And to hear from God, we have to stop filling every inch of silence with noise.”
Yeah. We needed to hear that. Big time.
But it did leave us with one question. What’s one simple way we can start implementing slowness in our lives?
Three Ways to Incorporate Slowness:
- Saying No. Setting boundaries and learning to say “no” is one of many things Comer writes about, saying, “When you say yes to one thing, you’re saying no to a thousand others.” Recognizing that we cannot do it all, and that it’s okay, is empowering. By prioritizing our mental and physical health, we pave the way for a more balanced and fulfilling life.
- Incorporating Silence. Yeah, we know this one’s a tough ask. But we do think it’s worth it and have seen changes in our own lives. In our hyper-connected world, we are bombarded with constant noise and distractions. Creating space for silence enables us to hear the whispers of our own hearts and, perhaps, the voice of the divine, leading us to a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
- Plan Vacations that are Actually Vacations. Busy trips can be fun. And if you have little kiddos, sometimes the busyness helps keep them from whining and/or throwing tantrums. But every vacation day doesn’t necessarily need to be packed with 248 activities. It’s not easy, and y’all parents might hear some grumbling, but it is worthwhile. We encourage you to plan a slower-than-normal trip and see how it goes.
If you’re looking to dive a little deeper, the book is a great place to start.
And this might be the perfect time to check it out before fall hits – when busyness always seems to hit an all-time high for families with kids in school and sports.
You can find “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” at your local library, on Audible, or at:
We hope your family is able to say “no” to many things this fall… in order to say “yes” to the things that may matter more!