The Pace of “Souega”

Sam Burnham, Curator

​“Souega” is a hashtag but it is also a state of mind. One of the most refreshing discoveries in that area is the pace of life. It doesn’t feel rushed there. It reminds me of the north Georgia of my childhood before Atlanta’s desire to be in a hurry infested the land. In the course of a week there was no horn blowing, no tailgating. The moss sways in a gentle breeze and everything seems old. It’s not a stale or dusty kind of old. It’s a well-seasoned, experienced, full flavor kind of old. It adds class, charm, and character to everything around it. You want to sit a spell and take it in.
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That’s the natural pace of The South. This new trend toward haste and the rat race is a foreign, invasive species that is choking this land of its culture and charm. The country band Alabama did a sone on this that should serve as a warning:

I’m in a hurry to get things done
oh I rush and rush until life’s no fun
all I really gotta do is live and die
but I'm in a hurry and don’t know why

This is more than just a personal preference. This is a clinically proven health concern. All the haste and hurry contributes to stress, anxiety, and increased risk for heart attack and stroke.

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​For people of faith, there are constant warnings throughout the Book of Proverbs bidding readers to avoid haste, hurry, and an overactive appetite for materialism.

Down on the river I found a healthier pace. I found people living a better life. We should examine our own lives and see where adjustments should be made. We should take a breath and ask ourselves what the rush is all about. Are we really going anywhere or are we just driving ourselves into an early grave?

Change the pace. Sit on the porch for a spell. Go for a walk in town. Listen to music not just as background noise but to actively appreciate the art. Observe the birds and squirrels in the yard. Read a newspaper. Look for something, anything, positive and appreciate it. Say hi to a stranger. See what these sorts of things do for your personal well being. These are just a few ways to find our way back to a more Southern way of life.

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