Why modern life forgets the art of rest and stability
Most of us would agree that we are living life at a dizzying speed. There is a mad rush everywhere, from dawn to dusk — in public places, at home, and in our daily lives. People hurry to grab seats in public transport, jostle through crowds, and break queues to claim what they believe is rightfully theirs. This pervasive ‘me first’ approach, born out of a near-total absence of patience, lies at the root of many social problems, including the alarming rise in stampede-related deaths across the country.
The youth today wish to taste everything too soon and chase success at any cost. Working overtime, sacrificing sleep, and stretching themselves beyond healthy limits do not trouble them, as long as the rewards seem immediate. Health is willingly put at stake in the belief that one must make hay while the sun of youth shines. Stability no longer appeals; instead, there is a craving for bigger, faster leaps. This high-speed lifestyle provides a certain thrill. Loud music, spicy food, fast cars and extroverted personalities dominate their preferences. The powerful virtual universe of showbiz, media and the cosmetic industry further reinforces the idea that youth and speed are the ultimate currencies.
Children now behave like wannabe youths, while the elderly struggle to appear young. Society has little patience for the slow, the tired or the old, rendering them increasingly invisible. There is a widespread perception that one cannot be noticed unless one is constantly running.
Walking, both literally and metaphorically, has gone out of fashion, and those who choose it risk being labelled outdated or unenthusiastic. Most people today manipulate their lifestyles to cope with this universal time deficit. The working class, neck-deep in professional commitments, find little time to cook or spend with family. Eating out, relying on ready-to-eat food, or hurriedly gulping meals has become routine. Even nourishment is sacrificed at the altar of speed.
This ‘hurry up’ mindset has seeped so deeply into society that consistency itself has suffered. Politicians abandon ideologies with ease, and defections have become commonplace. Employees change loyalties without hesitation. Relationships are entered and exited in haste, contributing to rising divorce rates, broken families and the growing number of old-age homes — all symptoms of a use-and-throw culture.
Ironically, even attempts to escape this frenzy are noisy. Breaks are filled with screens, loud entertainment and relentless socialising. Silence is almost absent, leaving the mind and body little opportunity to heal. Emotional breakdowns, lifestyle diseases and mental fatigue are the inevitable consequences of living perpetually in the fast lane.
The greatest tragedy of such a life is that it robs us of our ability to turn inward and make peace with ourselves. There is no time to pause, reflect or reassess direction. We run simply because others are running. By constantly gulping instant coffee, we forget the joy of slowly savouring a home-brewed cup.
True growth - spiritual and emotional — begins when we slow down. Rest is not weakness; it is wisdom. It is the courage to stop, to say ‘no’, and to recognise that we are not indispensable. Only then can we reconnect with our inner selves and choose a life that values depth over speed. So what are we waiting for? It is time to begin the process of change — now.
The writer is a spiritual educator and popular columnist; views are personal
