I feel safe Pauline is driving. Note the face in the rock watching us go by.
Trust.
Taken from a foot bridge.
Trust is a white line 100 mm wide separating two vehicles, traveling in opposite directions, hurrying to save time. There could be a loose nut holding the wheel, besides that there could be a mechanical fault. People dice with death to save time. To them time equates to money it is x number of dollars per hour and those dollars can be hoarded and used later. Not realising time cannot be deposited in a bank to use later, they risk their lives. Time is wasted when we buy more than we needed. Time cannot be stopped in its relentless progress, to be spent later. Foolishly hurrying to meet dead-lines the now is lost. We cannot trust that thin line to save us from an abrupt stop, ending our progress and acquisition.
Driving at 110 no time to look at the scenery.
Time has to be spent now. Life is wasted if the now is spent regretting the past and if what we are doing now is rushed, wanting to be somewhere else. The joy of engagement with what we are doing now is squandered if we are hurrying to a future enjoyment. We often find our expectations disappointing, especially if a TV program is the enjoyment we are rushing to. If driving and our mind is wandering the machine could also wander crossed the line and all future plans are then postponed or terminated. The Buddhists say “When you wash dishes, wash dishes.” Today dishes are often hurriedly put in a machine to be washed. We think we are saving time, but the machine has a price tag and running costs
Having a great time, Goulburn art gallery.
Life was leisurely when time was measured by the position of the sun as it steadily progressed across the sky. Now every second of life is measured with digital precision, this combined with other technology has affected our lives. These inventions are wonderful if they are used wisely. Be aware the value of a labour-saving device must be balanced against its initial cost, its running costs, storage and maintenance. Think do you really need what advertising says you must have. Some ads even say “buy now pay later”, and you will pay dearly later. Hurry, buy now while stocks last. Think, if they are selling so fast why are they paying to advertise, surly word of mouth would suffice.
Relaxed focused on pearl and plain.
Things we do by hand give much more joy and satisfaction. A home cooked meal can be a pleasure to make and nourishing to eat. But you may not have the time to cook a meal if you are working long hours to pay for a state of the art stove and a dishwasher. So you go and buy a Chinese take away, knowing they are the best of the fast food places. A vegetable stir fry with fried rice is healthy. Asians usually use a wok and a gas burner to cook and get fast results with simple equipment.
Cooked in minutes using a wok, gas burner.
Being aware of what we are doing we make fewer mistakes and driving mistakes can be fatal. Walking is a healthy pleasure, not a waste of time. Working to pay for petrol may not be as enjoyable. Although if we have chosen an occupation we can take pride in, our work becomes a pleasure. These are things to quietly consider before any hasty action, especially buying something. Do we buy to fill a genuine need or is it a prestige icon to boost our ego? Will we get useful value, or will this be another thing to store and maintain?
Is it a dead loss?
What is all this consumerism doing to our eco system? These are a few thoughts to consider when you are tempted by advertising to buy.
It is not only your life at risk.
Depending what country you are driving in keep to the legally correct side of the white line. Be mindful, courteous and do not speed. Do not trust road markings to protect you; alert defensive driving is your only protection. We spend a lot of time out in traffic and more people are killed in traffic accidents than by spiders, snakes and sharks. Are you more afraid of these creatures than busy streets? Yet these creatures mostly avoid humans because they fear us. Our fears are mostly misplaced we should be cautious, but not afraid, and on the roads careful, cautious, courteous.
Why hurry? We all know the end.
