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You are here: Home / Kindness / Life in the Slow Lane

Life in the Slow Lane

09/26/2016 By Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie 9 Comments

Life in the Slow Lane

We’ve gotten so used to a speedy life of instant gratification, instant messaging, instant email, instant delivery of packages, that I think we are forgetting the gifts we receive when we slow down and get our heads out of our phones and into the eyes of the person who is standing next to us.  Now, I seem to have an uncanny talent of being able to pick the slowest check out line at any store. I’ve often remarked to those who sidle up in line behind me, “If you’re in a hurry, you might want to pick the other line. I have a penchant for picking the slow line.” Some move right on, but others smile and many times I’ve enjoyed an unexpected conversation that is amazing…maybe even life changing. Here’s one life in the slow lane moment I remember from years ago.

It was one of those days when I had a gazillion things to do and was feeling a little frantic. I walked up to join the shortest line at the check out stand at the grocery store. In front of me was a mother with her young daughter in tow. I had one item and their shopping cart was filled to the brim, but knowing the slow line is usually where I end up, I was resigned that I would probably be late again for whatever important appointment it was that I was going to.

Mom turned both her daughter and herself towards me and said,

“Please go ahead of us.”
“Really? You have no idea how much that means to me today.”
“Yes, please do. I want to show my daughter that there is still grace in the world.”

Then they both smiled and stepped aside to let me pass. I had never thought that the grocery store check out line would be a place to teach a child in such a sweet and simple way about grace and generosity of spirit but here it was–right in front of me. The entire encounter, brief as it was, is something that has stayed with me since that day.

Being able to give a little extra time is an act of grace. A small unassuming quiet act can make a difference in the lives of those around us. Today, try life in the slow lane and you may get where you need to go faster than you think.

The Slow Lane

The Slow Lane

Filed Under: Kindness Tagged With: Life in the Slow Lane

9 Thoughts on Life in the Slow Lane
    Elaine Livengood
    26 Sep 2016
     12:11pm

    Well written, Kate. I wholeheartedly agree!

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      26 Sep 2016
       12:18pm

      🙂

      Reply
    Gerlinde @ Sunnycoveschef
    26 Sep 2016
     5:30pm

    I seem to pick the slowest line also , especially when returning from a long trip and going through the custom line.
    What a lovely gesture from the mother. We can only teach by excample.

    Reply
    Briana Carson
    27 Sep 2016
     6:22am

    Kate, I enjoyed your post and perspective. My hectic life was unexpectedly thrust into the slow lane after an accident and a four month recovery time. It was difficult to adjust at first, but I have since been able to realize that some of life’s sweetest blessings can only be found in the slow lane.

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      27 Sep 2016
       8:08am

      Wow! Thank you for sharing this, Briana. I hope that you are doing well in all things. Kate

      Reply
    Margaretha
    27 Sep 2016
     9:14am

    Love this. You have inspired me. Saturday I am starting my fall pilgrimage to celebrate the New Year. I am walking/limping across Missouri at 3 mph. Sometimes 2mph or 0. Hopefully I will return mid month having slowed down enough to make some pies. Love.

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      27 Sep 2016
       9:16am

      You are the inspiration! I have always remember when you told me that one of your goals was to see how slow you could go. Been Camino. xo

      Reply
    Andrea
    27 Sep 2016
     9:47pm

    “Anything you can do, I can do slower” has been my motto for a while.

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      27 Sep 2016
       9:59pm

      Absolutely perfect, Andrea!

      Reply

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