Article Link: http://stage.exchangepress.com/article/a-manner-of-speaking/5013196/
It was the beginning of an unbelievable day - unexpected American visitors (pick them up, tour them around, offer them coffee), responsibilities at the center, an important exam - but when Elena Markevi_cien_e of Dar_zelis Lazdyn_e lis in Vilniaus, Lithuania, bent down to greet her first child of the morning, she created a planet just for them. "Ah, my dear one, you must be so tired this morning. It is so early. Did you get enough sleep? Are your friends here yet?" She spoke softly as she stroked the young boy's face; her gentle spirit embraced him.Life for most of us, most of the time, is hardly gentle. We eat fast food rather than picnic, perform tasks quickly rather than well. We choose the fastest route over the most scenic, drive instead of walk, fly instead of drive. We communicate by fax and e-mail rather than phone calls, letters, visits. Modern life is lived in busy segments that slam into each other rather than transitioning one into the next.
I arrived early for the conference, with a whole day to do as I pleased. Of course, I created a mental list and pondered a schedule to squeeze as much in as ...