We live in a swipe-and-scroll world. Our thumbs flick through seemingly endless images, videos, and snippets of information, consuming content in bite-sized pieces. How many people have I missed, opportunities lost, or conversations overlooked because I’m scrolling on my calendar to check the next meeting or visit? I lost some dear friends to cancer recently, and I realized that time stops when loss hits. We look back and wish we had pressed the “linger here” button slightly longer.
Last week, I had a marketing interview that needed to be cut down to thirty seconds. I was so frustrated to cut out most of my interview ad, but the person helping me was right. People won’t watch if it drags on too long. We want to consume content quickly so we can move on to the next thing. But the desire for immediate gratification erodes genuine human connection and 
our ability to savor life’s precious moments. During care visits, I’ve seen how being truly present with another person can change the course of their day. There is a richness in these interactions that scrolling can never replicate. I’m able to make deeper connections with people when I slow down and listen. My awareness is heightened when I’m present in the moment and enjoying unhurried conversations. And sometimes, the person and I will sit in silence, not feeling the need to fill the air with unnecessary words. These moments of lingering make lasting memories and stay with me long after I’ve left the hospital or hospice center.
In our haste to capture and share, we often forget to fully live in the moment. We lose the joy of the sunset when we’re struggling to find the perfect filter. We consume more content than ever but don’t remember what we’ve seen.
How can we reclaim the art of lingering? Here are a few ideas:
- Practice mindful listening. During conversations, focus on the other person instead of your phone. Make eye contact. Nod and let them know you hear their heart. Let’s put our phones away and give people our full attention. You might surprise them!
- Embrace boredom. In moments of stillness, instead of reaching for your phone, allow yourself to simply Don’t be in a hurry to finish and get busy with the next task. Let your mind wander and see where it takes you.
- Set digital boundaries. Designate phone-free times or zones during your day and use this time to engage with the world around you. Look up and notice people. Smile at them and say hello. Notice the nature around you that is so easily missed.
- Cultivate patience. Challenge yourself to wait without immediately seeking distraction. When standing in line or waiting for a friend, resist the urge to wish the moments would pass more quickly. Enjoy the slowness of waiting.
- Create analog moments. Engage in activities that naturally slow you down – read a physical book, write in a journal, or enjoy a leisurely meal with loved ones.
The most precious moments in life are usually fleeting ones. When we learn to slow down, listen deeply, and savor the present, 
we enrich our lives and relationships in ways that scrolling can’t replicate. In a world that is always rushing to the next thing, we find the greatest joy in the stillness of just being. I want my time with people to be something other than swipe-and-scroll moments. I want to give them the kind of attention they deserve. In those moments of lingering, God gives us nuggets of beauty and bits of wisdom. He reminds us that life is precious and worthy of our attention.