Another day another trip downtown. Another opportunity to sit, reflect, discover, and plan. Change is slow. I wish it would happen a lot faster. Its like you go to the gym month after month working hard and change comes slow. The first time Grant worked out with me he got home and flexed his mighty 9-year old muscles in the mirror exclaiming how much stronger he is and that his muscles had grown. If it only were so easy. I wish that changes could happen that fast … I want to have a robust spiritual connectivity with God NOW, I want instant results at the gym NOW, I want to plant gobs of churches throughout the region NOW, and I want to see Tucson as a city transformed NOW not only spiritually but more hip and trendy places to hang out and go to.
When you crave change and transformation and monitor it daily it is frustrating, overwhelming, and progess creeps along like at the pace of a growing saguaro. But maybe that is life in general or in particular here in the desert. We all love the majestic saguaros with all of their arms reaching towards the heavens looking like a forest of green people smattered across the landscape waving at you. Then you realize that they sprouted way back when Tucson was still part of Spain or Mexico. Change is slow but the results are stunning. When you follow change daily it is slow but even if you look back after a year you’re surprised to see how much has transpired … and then five years, amazing.
The desire to see Tucson grow and mature as a new world-class city is not going to be some overnight transformation. I remember a breakfast I had with one of the urban city planners here in Tucson and he said, “In 5 years downtown Tucson will be completely changed.” But as I sit here again today I do see signs of hope …. new residential lofts being built, the tracks of the new electric streetcar are a mere 30 feet from where I sit, the interstate is halfway complete, the Mercado District is making good progress, and so much more. He is right … in 5 years it will be amazing. Even this coffee shop I sit in wasn’t here a year ago and now it is a vital launching point for me as I study and explore this city that I take for granted.
I want change and want it now but I’m learning to have more patience although it kills me sometimes. This is a commitment for the long haul because nothing happens easily or overnight but transformation is taking place. At the same time I also want to stop and savor each moment. Yesterday I took a drive up close to the Catalinas and just stared at them as the shadows from the afternoon sun highlighted numerous granite spires along the western flank. It was stunning. I just needed to take a 20 minute mental vacation and slow down. My breath slowed and it was almost like I could breathe again.
Things will change and transform … I just need to enjoy the process and not get too impatient.
