Slow down: Faster isn't always better

There’s a song by Simon and Garfunkel titled “Feelin’ Groovy.” It starts out: “Slow down, you move too fast, you got to make the morning last. Just kicking down the cobblestones, looking for fun and feeling groovy.”

 The world today just keeps moving faster–I wish it could take the song’s advice, just slow down a bit and not move so fast. 

When I’m driving down the freeway at 73 mph, it’s amazing to me how many times I’m passed in the fast lane, those vehicles must be all traveling in the neighborhood of 80 mph. I always wonder if they are late for something, maybe work, maybe the Gopher game, or maybe they just always drive fast. The Vikings #1 draft choice this year, a wide receiver out of Stanford, was clocked at well over 100 mph while driving in the Cities. Obviously he was issued a well deserved ticket. Was he late for practice? His reason: he was rushing home to tend to his sick dog. On a positive note, he may be the fastest, pass catching receiver in the NFL. SLOW DOWN, WE DRIVE TOO FAST!

Our emphasis on speed has changed more than our driving habits.

A great meal that takes two hours to prepare for family is now a difficult endeavor. Mom or Dad are on a tight schedule, and there just isn’t time to think about preparing a sit-down family supper. Besides, one of the kids is too busy to be there. No time for a pancake sit-down family breakfast. We have to be in Lakeville at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning for our fifth-graders’ basketball game. Pizza delivered to the door, or a quick trip to fast food is so much easier. SLOW DOWN, WE EAT TOO FAST!

When I was teaching sixth grade, I used to show some motivating science movies on the two-reel projector. Disney’s Nature’s Strangest Creatures, or the Lorax were two of the students’ favorites. Bet you’re saying now, “Oh my, he was one of those learn-by-film teachers.” Next came the overhead projector and writing on the big screen, or learning from transparencies. I was in great shape for teaching unless the light burned out in my equipment; that’s why I always had a spare bulb in my desk drawer. Coaching football, I’d travel with Coach Gilbertson to rival towns to meet other coaches and exchange game film recorded on big, black VCR cassettes. On to the computer lab, DVDs and personal student laptops. On arrival at school I’d check my computer and address several messages or concerns from parents before the bell rang and we all stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. 

SLOW DOWN, It was moving too Fast: time to retire. 

Cell phones are changing daily, new programs, new features from every provider in the industry. 

When I try to have a conversation with my grannies I have to tell them to put their cell phones down. Who knows; maybe the welcome wagon will put a cell phone in every newborns' welcome package. 

Wifi, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, dish cable T.V.; what changes will we see in the next couple of years? I finally feel comfortable running my remote and watching T.V. with Media Com cable. Now I hear there will be major changes in the cable industry. Nearly all shopping-for anything-can now be done online. Make sure you are aware of identity theft or porch thieves. Many new vehicles don’t have CD players. Plug into Pandora, bluetooth, or whatever for your easy listening. SLOW Down media, baby boomers aren’t ready for more change.

Gary Meurer is retired west of town and lives on a hobby farm with his wife Ginger. They are both an asset to our Waseca community and are well-liked and respected by all. Gary taught for 41 years and coached for 51. I’m sure any student Gary taught in math or any athlete he coached will tell you they had fun, and Gary made them the best they could be. He coached the Waseca Cross Country team in his latter years and made his team a powerhouse in southern Minnesota.

I remember seeing Gary running with his athletes and later biking with them as they ran their routes. He wasn’t a coach who said “meet you in the locker room after completing your workout.” 

Gary taught his team conditioning and strength strategy, pace, and finish with a kick. He used a little Simon and Garfunkel by teaching his runners to slow down, you run too fast: pace yourself, save strength for your finish. A cross country run is a shade over 3 miles. Gary won a girls state title and placed as high as third with his girls and boys cross country teams. 

If you are constantly moving too fast, slow down and take time to smell the roses. Until next time, stay safe and healthy.