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Time. Out of time. Not enough time. Time flies. The issue of time seems to be on everyone's mind these days. Somehow, it seems we have all become slaves of time, being forced to run (or sew) faster and faster to keep up with all its demands. As the author of the new book, "At Piece With Time," I've been thinking a lot lately about finding a way to be friends once again with time. May I share some of my musings with you?
For nearly a year now I've been pondering how I could bring the title of my book into the focus of my everyday life. My longing is to try, each and every day, to live more at peace with my time. Everywhere I turn, there are advertisements on how to sew faster, quicker, easier. If the commercial world had its way, I would never ever be satisfied with anything. Television hit shows now make over my home, my garden, my wardrobe, and my body. Will my quilts be next? I feel engulfed by the swirling tornado of grabbing, improving and getting more.
Faster time for me is not peaceful time, and so it seems that in all of the getting, I lose all of my sense of peace. I hear the echoes of the title: “At Piece With Time” and make a potent vow to slow down. I take the strength that is mine, and I RESIST! It takes a super human force of will to be content doing one thing at a time. Multi-tasking has become the norm, yet it grants me no measurable satisfaction or appreciation of the tasks completed. Going faster in fact seems to add nothing to my life, but the stress of wanting more speed.
In thinking of life even fifty years ago, it occurs to me there were many tasks requiring slow, methodical, repetitive attention. Canning vegetables, weeding and hoeing a garden, darning socks, and countless other jobs were dreary to be sure. But just maybe they had the added benefit of slowing the mind, allowing worries and anxiety to be dislodged – a positive way to “dump the junk” from one's over loaded life. Perhaps with each repetitive motion, a frazzled body eased into a quiet, blissful state of calm. Could a slower way actually be a healthier way?
I have discovered my love of hand applique is a perfect defense to life's spinning race. As I sit in the solitude of my comfy chair with my stitching, I am able to hold the world at bay. Little by little, for it takes a good while for my mind to find any calm, I sink into the softness of slow, savory, sweet reflective time. Stitch by humble stitch, I find I can release the worries and concerns of the day. It almost feels like my brain chemistry changes as I sense a definite shift. In a near meditative state, I can finally feel the enormous satisfaction of doing just one thing, yet doing it beautifully. I know I am enough. I know the work of my hands, with each small stitch, is worthy work coming straight from my heart. I have everything I need right here within me. I can relish and enjoy this delicious peaceful time.
In my musings about time, I think it all comes down to choice. Each of us has a choice: to run the rat race, or not. It takes a keen awareness of just how much the race is robbing us. (The winner of a rat race is still a rat). It requires a determined force of will to muscle the strength to take back ownership of our time. It is done minute by minute at first. Stitching methodically by hand can be a tremendous ally in finally
making friends with time. If by chance you have felt this same relentless pressure to do more and do it faster, I challenge you to find the comfort of stitching or quilting by hand. May you be inspired to make sweet time for yourself and your spirit each day – slowly and piecefully.
©2004 Kristin Steiner
Kristi's book At Piece With Time is published b y C & T Publishing and can be found at your local quilt shop.
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