Slow down, you move too fast...

I regularly walk to and from work.  It's my way of keeping relatively fit and healthy but at this time of year it's worth it for the birdsong alone.  There's also the pleasure of a walk in the morning sun, looking in all the gardens that I pass on the way, seeing which plants are starting to bud, doing a comparison with my own garden, and getting a few ideas. 

This all means that I'm walking at quite a leisurely pace so lots of people hurry past me, heads down, their eyes focussed on the path in front of them.  I usually catch up with them at one of the pedestrian crossings where they are standing impatiently waiting for the signal to change, repeatedly pushing the button in the vain hope that this will speed the process up. Then they're off again, determined to be out in front so they can get to where they need to be - probably inside for the next 8 hours - before doing the whole journey again in reverse.

Everyday we are so wrapped up in what we need to do, where we need to go, that many of us are completely unaware of the beauty and magic that is all around us.  My wish is that we just slow down for a few minutes (stop if you can), look around you and listen.  You don't have to look very far or try very hard - there is always something amazing to see and hear.