If I were asked (nobody does) what has been the biggest source of sorrow and frustration in my life, I would say, immediately, people who are too busy. Actually, just busy. Of course this has only been true for 72 of my 79 years. Maybe I should give busyness a chance? It might turn out to be benign, even a very good thing.
I read of an Englishman who enjoyed talking to the people of a foreign country. He said "They always have time." Perhaps they had time because of their low standard of living? That could be it. They had not learned yet to exchange human contact for making money, or people for possessions.
There is a theory that busyness is an attempt to fill some kind of void inside the busy person. Others even say that some people are trying to earn their salvation through constant effort. I suppose there is merit to both ideas. I tend toward the "fear theory".
I had a friend who, when shopping, walked so fast that he looked like he had stolen a purse and was making his getaway. He told me that every second spent in such activities was time lost forever. He was an atheist, and from this perspective, he was right. He felt he was facing a total extinction.
Despite the losses and disappointments at the hands of the Busy Ones, I have a great hope. Some day soon I will be in the presence of God. He will not be too busy to commune with me.
I am older now with ailments and because of my ailments, I have learned to like to stay home and enjoy my cats and dogs. However, I have a husband and a daughter who need me as much as I need them. It seems the more I want to stay home and slow down, the more places, appointments and errands that must be done to run a household. I grew up when times were slower and people had more time to sit and talk. It seems today's lifestyle is busier than it has ever been and that is ironic because all of the technology is suppose to make our lives easier. It doesn't. I think it make life more complicated.
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