Living in an Instant World

Sir James Murray/Original Editor Oxford English Dict.

 I just finished reading a book in which was described the process that was followed to complete the 600,000 words, 3 million quotations and a 1000 years of English contained in the Oxford Dictionary of the English Language.  There were some really fascinating (I know some of you find that hard to believe.) and amazing things to do with the people and processes they used to complete it, but one thing stood out to me more than any other:  It took over 70 years to complete.
     I think of other great works of mankind such as St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Its delicately carved archways, and mural filled domes took over 120 years to complete.  The great wall of China standing an average of 23 feet high and stretching over 5000 miles took around 200 years to build.
   
 In all these examples, it's not likely that anyone who began the project was around to see it finished, and it made me think about the "instant" world that we all find ourselves living in today.  We live at a dizzying pace and demand that everything be quick, speedy, concise.....instant.  "Wait" is not a word we like to hear.
     Now, I'm not saying that the technology and advances that mankind has achieved are necessarily bad, I just think it can be useful to slow down and recognize that the most beautiful and important things in our lives usually will take some time to accomplish, and in some cases, a great deal of time.  Some things can never be accomplished except through the continual, consistent, completion of very minute and sometimes tedious tasks over an extended period of time, maybe even a lifetime.
     So.....haven't lost all the weight you wanted in two weeks.
     So.....business you started last year hasn't exploded to record profits.
     So.....they haven't made you Vice President after a year of busting your ass.
     So.....your kids don't seem to hear or even listen to the lessons you are trying to teach.
     So.....________________________________________________________________

     Is it something worthwhile?  Is it something you really want?  Is it something bigger than you?
Keep going!  Don't quit!  Be disciplined and strong!  Finish the work you set out to do!  As the famous Nike ads say,  "Just Do It!"