A simple thought this Saturday…

The other day I met a friend to walk back over toward her house to get a coffee/nibble at a local bakery I’d never tried. I remarked that it took far less time to walk there than I had thought it would. She laughed and said “Well, you are with me!” True–and we were chatting away. Then she added, “We are also walking at Paris-pace.”

I inquired… She was using a phrase she had heard elsewhere for walking like you mean to actually take in what surrounds you…walking with a point, yes, but also with awareness, attentiveness, to the surrounding melange of context. I loved that. And realized the truth of it.

A measured approach, and good company, not only made time go faster, I also took in more along the way. And that got me thinking about the seemingly breakneck speed toward utter chaos it feels like the hand basket holding this world is hurtling.

The world could do with a little Paris-pacing.

Maybe we’d make more room for others. Maybe we’d notice reasons to compliment or converse rather than denigrate and dismiss. Maybe there’d be more heads lifted toward beauty, wonder, and curiosity rather than bowed heads huddled in fear or hunger or plotting.

And perhaps this is just…croissant-in-the-sky thinking…but honestly, Paris-pace felt so much better than pounding the pavement and bracing the psyche. To lift, to open, to expose one’s heart and spirit…it’s easier to breathe, for sure…easier to love…to be generous…to be kind…to be Human…image and likeness of God…to let that be seen and felt…to believe it of myself and of the others surrounding. To let it change the course of things toward something more manageable for a greater number…toward something that catches eye and heart and imagination. Toward something that captivates for reasons that bring more peace to our world…more justice…compassion, mercy, hope.

I’m under no illusions here…and am well aware that all has a corollary. Love and hurt, sorrow, loss all twine together, for example… I suppose what I am thinking of is an approach that allows for more wholeness of being. It feels like the world is clenched right now and what is inside the fist, by and large, does not inspire me. Instead, I cringe or cramp or simply sigh.

When I feel like that, it’s up to me to change my pace and opt for openness…opt for company that inspires that feeling within me so I can share it with others I encounter on this journey we share.