Slow

Slow it down!

“That’s easy for you to say, Norm, because you’re retired!” Perhaps, but all my bad habits of trying to cram too much into a day have followed me here, too. They’re hard-wired and difficult to shake. Twenty four hours are never enough, and thirty wouldn't be, either. But what I can say for certain is that I could never keep up a frenzied pace without the restorative, refreshing, soothing times of  “slow”.

All of the very wise people I know, all of the most truly productive, all of the most useful, all of the most blessed, know how to master “slow”. In fact, “slow” is an integral part of their lives. Some of these people have six kids, some of them are high-powered CEOs and professionals, some live in the middle of the big city. But all of them dwell in a quiet zone and all of them make tranquility and quiet the oxygen they breathe.

“Slow” can be found in long walks, in mountain hikes, and in reading books. It can also be found in washing dishes by hand, making bread, or clearing brush. “Slow” is any place where the clock can be  ignored and where your attention is focused on the really important things like raindrops on a leaf or puppies wrestling on the floor.

“Slow” is good for the body, lowering the blood pressure and the stress hormones which destroy us, but it is even more beneficial for the soul. “Slow” lets us get back in touch with who we really are and what really matters, without which touchpoints we are just part of the angry flotsam of society.

But “slow” is also critical for the mind, especially the creative mind. More problems are solved in solitary walks in the rain than in a thousand teleconferences. “Slow” and “quiet” allow the shy and tender subconscious to emerge from the shadows and begin to tell you all the wonderful ideas it has been generating. But first it needed you to be quiet long enough to get your attention. More often than not, these are the actual answers to the imponderables which have immobilized you with fear and worry.

Some people pray, some people meditate, others bake, or write, or do needlework. It matters not, so long as the clock is ignored and the mind has time to calm.

“Slow”, just like fresh cold water, wholesome food, clear air, and good friends, is something which you need to seek out mindfully. Unless we make time for “slow”, it will always keep falling onto tomorrow’s to-do list.

So, when’s your “slow” time today?