Looking out onto our city streets we see it, the hustle and bustle of cars and people with to-do lists on their minds. We are raised up in a world that compels us to keep moving, edging towards the next thing as quickly as possible. Pushing forward with only enough rest to get by to the next activity. It’s easy to get lost in the noise of it all. To move so fast through workdays, birthdays, projects, and personal time that we start to lose track of what’s really going on in our lives.

That’s the thing about time, no matter who we are, where we live, or what we do, it keeps on passing. Sometimes it flies by while in other moments it seems to stretch endlessly before us.

This picture captures that upbeat pace, in the passing car, peddled bike, and people walking in crowds. Yet through it all is a woman taking the opportunity to make a casual pass across the street in a sliver of life’s opportunity for calm. We can’t help but be drawn to her, just as the camera was, not only because she is beautifully dressed but because in one way or another we all crave that slowdown for ourselves.

Those who truly enjoy life learn to soak in these moments. The ones where in the middle of the movement we can take a few breaths to ourselves. A moment with a good book, a cup of coffee, or even taking the long way to our destination can give us that opportunity to look with fresh eyes on life unfolding around us. The slowdown doesn’t allow us to freeze time, but it does let us cherish it.

When we know that each moment only lasts for a breath, suddenly the simple things like a calm stroll across the street on a sunny day, take on a bit more value. We will never be able to stop time, but we can learn to appreciate it and that’s something worth pausing for.