For her life, like human life everywhere on the planet, had speeded up and speeded up until peace was rarely possible. Always there was movement, noise, inevitable and constant distraction {. ...} a madness had seized the earth. The madness of speed. As if to speed things up meant to actually go somewhere. And where, after all, was there to go? The present is all there ever is, no matter how much you lean forward or back.
In Alice Walker's "Now Is the Time to Open Your Heart," the author reflects on the frantic pace of life that characterizes modern existence. She observes that, much like human life across the globe, everything has become increasingly hurried, leaving little room for tranquility. The constant barrage of movement and noise creates distractions that prevent any meaningful connection with the present moment.
Walker highlights a pervasive "madness of speed," suggesting that the relentless rush to achieve or reach something ultimately leads to nowhere significant. Despite this frantic pace, she emphasizes the importance of recognizing that the present is all we truly possess. No matter how much we strive or yearn for future accomplishments, it is essential to embrace and appreciate the current moment, as it is the only reality we truly inhabit.
