Slow down, don't travel so fast along life's road

I read this story several years ago, and its making the rounds again, about a young and successful executive who was driving down a neighborhood street, going a little too fast in his new Jaguar. As he was a seasoned driver, he was very cautious, however, as he slowed down for fear that a child might dart out from between parked cars.

All of a sudden the quietness was shattered by a brick smashing into the side door of the Jaguar. He slammed on the brakes, wheeled around and returned to the spot where the brick had been thrown.

He jumped out of his car, grabbed one of the boys and shouted, "What do you think you're doing? Who are you? That's a beautiful new car that you hit! Why did you do it?" Between his tears, the boy said, "I didn't know what else to do. I didn't know what else to do. Nobody else would stop." And he pointed between the parked cars to a younger boy sprawled on the ground, and said, "It's my brother. He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up. He's hurt and he's too heavy for me." With tears dripping off his check, the older boy said, "Would you help me get him back in his wheelchair?"

The driver did just that ... and then took out his handkerchief and wiped the scrapes and cuts and tears. And the story goes that he left the dent in his car door - never had it repaired - to remind him not to go through life so fast that somebody has to throw a brick to get his attention.

I have a friend who is remodeling his kitchen and has put every spare minute into the project. He said on Saturday, he stopped the work, and went out and sat on the beach for a couple of hours. We live in such a beautiful place that sitting on the beach and feeling the warmth of the sun on our bodies, listening to the constant action of the waves, seeing the white billowy clouds or a cloudless sky, reading a good book, listening to some good music, or just simply sitting there, can have a healing effect on us.

\The sunsets here are often breathtaking, and about a week ago, we were treated to one of the most gorgeous sunsets that I have seen. It looked as if the horizon was on fire and the afterglow was a memorable sight.

Time used to enjoy such beautiful natural sights is not wasted time - it is restorative, rejuvenating and healing time - something we all need.

Hopefully, we will be reminded not to go through life so fast that somebody has to throw a brick to get our attention.