It was late in the noon hour and I was on the move from the building where my office was to the one where our CEO was officed for our meeting. I didn’t want to be late and had many things on my mind as I strolled briskly along walking right by members of my team without acknowledging them with so much as a “hello”. I missed them completely. I learned I’d missed everyone from my assistant later that day as she bravely wanted to help me see what I hadn’t seen. I was stunned because I didn’t notice them. She told me she covered for me, saying it was a very critical meeting, nothing intentional, etc. I’m not certain they bought it. I wonder if they thought, “he doesn’t even care about us enough to say hello, we must not be important”?

Her words hit me hard, and I’d love to tell you I vowed never to hurry again, to always be present and acknowledge others, and lived up to it. But I can’t, it wouldn’t be telling the truth. I’ve failed many times since then and probably will continue.

When we hurry, we miss what’s in front of us because we aren’t present. I missed saying hello to very important people because my mind was elsewhere. I could have and should have walked slower, seen them and acknowledged them. I might have been 1-2 minutes slower, but what a difference it could have made.

When you’re in a hurry, you will probably miss the person standing near your office who was struggling and needs just a minute or two of your time. You might not hear what someone tells you because you’re hurrying to answer a text or e-mail. Or you’ll miss what your son or daughter wanted to tell you, or your spouse. When you aren’t present, the people who should be important don’t think they are important to you.

If you slow down and are present, you will see and hear things you could miss. There could be an unexpected opportunity waiting for you to notice. Seriously.

Many years ago, I was working on a project and living in the Pocono Mountains. My parents and two aunts (all aged 80 +) came to visit me with the promise of a visit to New York city at Christmas time, to see the decorations, the tree in Rockefeller Center, and a play. As we were nearing the city, in the distance they saw the Statue of Liberty (not on the agenda), which they’d never seen in person. Instead of pushing on, I pulled off into Liberty State Park and found an observation location where they could take it in. They’ve all since passed away, but I can still see the tears in their eyes that day, in awe seeing “Lady Liberty”. Thankfully on that day I was present with them and made an adjustment to our schedule, creating a lifetime memory for all of us.

Being in a hurry also causes mistakes, because hurry is uncontrolled speed. Hurry is out of control, although we don’t like to admit it. If you don’t believe me, look at some synonyms for hurry, which are scurry, scramble, impulsivity, stampede, hastiness, bustle, rush and rashness. Tell me if you can find control in any of those words.

I’m not saying you need to do everything slowly, sometimes we need speed. I like the phrase John Wooden, the Hall of Fame college basketball coach of UCLA, used to use with his players.

Be quick, don’t hurry. – John Wooden

Slow down, don’t hurry and take time to enjoy living in the present.

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him… Luke 10:30 – 33