I've Put the Water on to Boil

"I don't know. I've kinda lost faith in the Democrats. I expected them to do more," said the woman in the interview. More? President Obama has been in office two months and this woman expected him to have already solved the country's fiscal problems? 

I don't know why I'm surprised. Her short-term attitude is typical for U.S.Americans. We want it and we want it now. Next week is too far away let alone next month or next year. Everything is fast, in sound bites. We don't even have time to write emails, let alone put ink to paper. Now we tweet. If it can't be said in 140 characters (who decided on that number?) it isn't worth our time.

And yet...one doesn't plant a seed and expect it to grow immediately. You have to sow the seed, tend it, water it, give it food and light. People recognize the years of practice and drive and sheer determination it takes to become a champion athlete. "Overnight" sensations are sensations because they are rare. So we know, deep in our hearts, that the good things, the things that make life worthwhile, take time and yes, effort. 

I have nothing against Twitter and Facebook and all the myriad of other means we have for connecting with one another.  I even have no problem with the concept of speed-dating type events. But I do have a problem with us believing these quick and easy means of meeting one another replace the need for long term, slow development of relationships. I've actually read postings from people saying they've gotten to know people by reading their tweets.  I'm sorry but you can't know me in 140 characters, or even 140,000,000 characters. 

Some things just take time. Solving an economic crisis takes time. Getting enemies to want to change their relationship with us takes time. Knowing someone else takes time. Learning about ourselves takes time....a lifetime as a matter of fact. Sometimes it's boring. Sometimes it's frustrating. Sometimes it makes us face the worst in ourselves. But sometimes putting in the effort to take it slowly, to savor the experience introduces us to a part of life that makes life worth living. 

So next time you're tempted to jump on the expressway and rush to your destination, choose another way. Find a backroad and explore it. Look at the sky. See the hawks soaring overhead. Discover the flowers starting to peep up. Maybe you'll find your way to my house.  If you do, I'll put on the water to boil....not in the microwave...and fix you a cup of tea. I have a nice deck and I'd love to start to get to know you.