Taking my Time

Oh but I won't worry 'Cause there's no hurry
The World's not passing me by 'Cause the Lord, He knows
Just where each day goes I know he won't leave me behind
And I won't be bringing A single thing That my heart can't carry inside
'Cause I'm going home And I'm only taking my time
- Taking My Time; lyrics by Christine Dente' and Charlie Peacock

Between April and October, I work in one of the prettiest places in Pittsburgh. Our campus is nestled into the urban sprawl and quaint character of the Shadyside and Squirrel Hill sections of the city. In fact, the 33 acre campus is a nationally registered arboretum. In addition to the abundance of trees and plants, the campus has a fair amount of grass which adds to the aesthetics. And in the spring especially, the hum of the lawnmowers are a constant during the day.

Not too long ago, I watched the groundskeeper's red tractor slowly make its way back and forth across a particularly large portion of lawn. This particular section of grass is on a hill (most recently it was the scene of sled riding). There were lines and small piles of grass clippings in the section that he had already crossed. In front of him, the darker green and longer grass waited for him to pass. The tractor just kept going neither slowing down or speeding up. My reaction was a mixed one both finding it relaxing and a bit troubling.

In my own life, I find it difficult to take my time. I rush ahead trying to problem solve, expedite and move things along. Our society covets things that make life easier and tasks quicker. We don't see ads for products that take longer to use or slow down our lives. Its all about multi-tasking and using our time wisely. Which can be translated as being able to do more things in less time. We want to be efficient to the detriment of everything else. I can only imagine if I was on the tractor, I would be rushing along, trying to get from one side to the other as fast as I can.

But as I rushed from the busyness of work to the busyness of home on that warm spring day. I think I was a bit jealous of the tractor that was trudging along. He didn't seem in a particular hurry and moved along without care. A luxury that I currently didn't have, the leisure to complete a task without looming deadlines or multiple demands. In the end, I guess I would have rather been on a tractor slowly but surely completing a task, than climbing into my car running to the next doctor's appointment or softball game or load of laundry.

In the briefest of moments, the lyrics from the song "Taking my Time" came into my head. A very little known song recorded in the 90's by Susan Ashton, Margaret Becker and Christine Dente', it has been a reminder to this impatient, control freak, that speed and control don't really matter. And worry is unnecessary. . .

"'Cause there's no hurry The World's not passing me by 'Cause the Lord, He knows Just where each day goes I know he won't leave me behind
And I won't be bringing A single thing That my heart can't carry inside
'Cause I'm going home And I'm only taking my time"