Fast Lane.

There are so many beautiful, amazing places that seem to refresh and restore your soul. In a world thriving in the Fast Lane, it can be challenging to slow down and schedule the time to seek out and enjoy those special places that provide fresh air and fresh perspectives. These are the powerful moments that renew your human spirit, and it is arguably one of the most important investments you can make in yourself. Getting out into the open natural spaces can be one of the most important strategies to achieving your work-life balance, and coping with the non-stop chaos and bizarre behaviors of our modern world. Each of us have almost 44,000 minutes a month, but most are too busy to make their mental health and moments of inspiration a top priority. We have created busy, action-packed lives – and it appears everyone is in a big hurry to get to the finish line as fast as they can. Everyone is going somewhere really, really fast. It is amazing how fast 50, 60 or 80 years passes these days. The graveyards are full of high-achieving and successful people who lived most of their lives in the Fast Lane. What is the catalyst needed to ensure we make the commitment to maintain a healthy balance and enjoy our short lives?

Our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions are powerful human dimensions that drive our life balance and effectiveness, and necessary for coping and living a complete, fulfilled life. Even in our unpredictable and fear-filled modern world. The vast majority of human beings over-invest in the physical dimension and spend a lot of time at the gym or at the doctor's office, and almost completely ignore the other critical dimensions to a healthy life. CBS News did a report earlier this year (April 17, 2017) and highlighted our serious national challenge: 8.3 million American adults – 3.4% of the population – are suffering from serious psychological distress. We have a national epidemic of suicides that few people seem to be talking about. Several studies find that rates of anxiety and depression among our young people has skyrocketed. Resiliency seems to be in short supply. We have a national Opiod Crisis that is finally getting the attention it needs. Now we need more action. The Atlantic Magazine (December, 2015; The Silicone Valley Suicides: Why are So Many Kids with Bright Prospects Killing Themselves in Silicone Valley?) ran a serious article and focus on the psychological issues with high schoolers at a couple of top-notch Palo Alto-area high schools with one of the highest suicide rates in the nation, and discovers that highly-affluent and achievement-oriented families in some of the most successful communities in the country are not immune from the dark forces of stress, unrealistic expectations, and insufficient coping skills. There are many important insights from this article that can be applied in your home and workplace.

Over the years, I have enjoyed countless moments of restoration walking along the shores of Lake Superior, Hawaii, and many miles of shoreline along both North American coasts. Climbing and standing at 10,000 or 14,000 feet on the summits of very special mountains in Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. And walking the wide open spaces in farm fields of central China, or the Blue Mountains of Australia, or the endless deserts of the Middle East, and many other places around this rather small planet. Sometimes under a vibrant, dark sky full of bright stars. All of these spaces and experiences restore your human spirit - and provide abundant energy and inspiration to walk with a little bounce in the next thousand miles of your journey. Surrounding yourself with good people and taking the time to enjoy inspirational spaces are truly the secret sauce of a life well-lived. 

Maybe we are moving too fast, striving and expecting too much, and not making our life balance a top priority? Maybe our children are watching and learning from our choices? The Gods of Materialism and uber-achievement are robbing our children and societies of the balance and health required to live successful, fulfilled lives. Just look around you. Maybe our definitions of success will need to change in the coming years, and for survival purposes, we are forced to model different and necessary lifestyle choices to our children to ensure they are making their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being a top priority; even before that big promotion, or that fancy new Tesla in the driveway, or the address in the most impressive neighborhood. Imagine that. The Fast Lane isn’t what it used to be. Walt Disney used to say that “A leisurely walk on a sunny afternoon is a wonderful luxury.” For those in the Fast Lane, a leisurely walk is definitely a luxury. Where are your special places? How do you restore and renew? How are you modeling a successful, balanced life in both your home and factory? Your hourglass is keeping score.

Let's Create More Sparks: Robert is a curious Irish-Canadian and well-traveled American who naturally enjoys story telling that includes lots of interesting facts and figures. Stats and data points help tell powerful stories. Interesting quotes and good books bring vivid colors and memorable shapes to a story. Good stories inspire the human spirit. Ideally you found an idea or two in this LinkedIn article that you can now use as a fantastic conversation starter with friends or colleagues over a good cup of coffee on a leisurely Saturday afternoon.