(While I am on my self-imposed internet blackout so I can get some work done, I am going to be posting a few posts from my now defunct website, joy-café for the next few posts.)
I was a full blown city-slicker for the longest time in my life. As an adult, I rushed everywhere I went, on tight schedules with a cup of tea or coffee ever-present in my hand. I never stopped and smelled roses, much less chicken manure (don’t ask – okay you can ask, but I’m saving it for another post).
I didn’t see my first (and last) cow up close and personal until I was 12 years old. My country cousin was taking my brother and me down to a pond on his property. I managed to slide passed the cow (after being frozen in place with fear while it stared at me) to go stand at the pond. Everything was fine – until he mentioned snakes. That was all she wrote. I broke all time speed records leaving that cow pasture, never to darken one again.
So the irony is that I married a rancher. No, that is not true. I married an electrical engineer who worked at the same nuclear plant I did. I did not discover his dark side until a few years later when we were talking about unfulfilled dreams. Oi-vay!
It seemed so unfair… to be married to a secret rancher… until he whispered a sweet something into my ear that turned me into a “bona fied” rancher’s wife. “Unlimited access to yummy rib eye steak.”
OK – I’m shallow – so sue me.
But that’s not what this post is about. This post is about the art of slowing down. I am discovering that most of my friends – probably all of them – are so strung out, un-rested, overworked, over-scheduled, over-committed, and overwrought. They are tense, stressed, irritable, fight with their mates, and can’t sleep. They have ulcers, stress, chest pains, headaches, and high blood pressure. They run run run run run all the time. They usually have to let something go in order to make it all fit – housework being the #1 choice of smart women everywhere (ho).
Ask me how I know this. Go ahead, ask me. Been ‘dere dun dat!
I began learning to slow down several years ago. It wasn’t easy. It feels like you’re cheating someone if you have time to stop and enjoy life. I’d been working since I was 14 years old and did not know how to slow down. I was scheduled to near death. Then again, if one thing on my schedule went wrong, my entire schedule came down like a house of cards. Then I was even more stressed.
“NO”
But then I learned two things – the art of saying “NO” (and sticking to it no matter how much someone tried to manipulate me into saying yes) and that this is the only life we have. There are no do-over’s. EVERY day is a precious and valuable gift just for us. We should cherish and enjoy each and every day we have.
I am never ever again going to overextend myself for other people at the expense of my family, time or health. I cut back on commitments and wasted time. I cut people out of my life who were stressful and time-wasters.
Hubby and I shut off the television on weekdays years ago. Except on weekends, we don’t watch TV and then it’s usually just movies. I am working to organize my house so that it is a breeze to clean. Why? So I have more TIME to enjoy my life.
It was hard to cut out things but once I did – this amazing thing happened. I relaxed. I read. I slept better at night. I was happy, singing dancing all over the house. I laughed more and was sick less. I began enjoying life to a depth heretofore never experienced.
I enjoyed the cat playing with my ankles while I hung clothes on a clothesline. I really enjoy the fresh air smell on my sheets. I enjoy watching lazy bumblebees bopping around my flowers. I enjoy sitting outside under my tree while I read. I enjoy listening to the water splash in my fountain. I enjoy the scent of honeysuckle wafting in the breeze. I enjoy my new sunroom in all its glory. I enjoy having time to read a book or magazine. I enjoy time savoring a great cuppa tea. I enjoy having time to enjoy this life God has given me.
I want to ask you something: if you don’t slow down and enjoy where you are right now, just when are you going to enjoy your life? Where is it that you are rushing to that is so important that your today whizzes by on your way to that tomorrow? Tomorrow never gets here – it is always TODAY. Take time to enjoy it. Why are you wasting it?
Speaking of which… I have something better to do now…..
59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy by Simon & Garfunkel
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Copyright © 2008 Nan C Loyd
All rights reserved. Used by permission
BTW – I’ve missed you! Just wanted you to know how quiet my house is. Senior moved out over a week ago:( Graduation is next Sunday. Keep both of us in your prayers!
BTW – I’ve missed you! Just wanted you to know how quiet my house is. Senior moved out over a week ago:( Graduation is next Sunday. Keep both of us in your prayers!
I equate my cup of coffee with slowing down and relaxing! Yeah, I want the energy it has to offer – but I like to have a cup of coffee about 4 p.m. when the kids are back from school or maybe I’m inbetween an activity run and I can sit back, sip a little and look at all those things you talk about! It’s also hard to slow down with all my boys. However, with only 3 in the nest after June – my life will definitely be slowing down even more. I love watching a spider weaves its webb, or watching the wind blow the trees, or sitting on the porch of our old house knitting while the kids run in and out. Maybe my husband would like me to work a little harder! LOL
I equate my cup of coffee with slowing down and relaxing! Yeah, I want the energy it has to offer – but I like to have a cup of coffee about 4 p.m. when the kids are back from school or maybe I’m inbetween an activity run and I can sit back, sip a little and look at all those things you talk about! It’s also hard to slow down with all my boys. However, with only 3 in the nest after June – my life will definitely be slowing down even more. I love watching a spider weaves its webb, or watching the wind blow the trees, or sitting on the porch of our old house knitting while the kids run in and out. Maybe my husband would like me to work a little harder! LOL
What a great post. I’ve been working on my own version of slowing down, enjoying everyday and not worrying about tomorrow. Not making things a bigger deal than they are. I love your description of the action of you slowing down (does that make sense?) It sounds divine. One way my husband and I are trying to slow down is by going away for a few days every month or so.
PS. I love Joe Cocker.
What a great post. I’ve been working on my own version of slowing down, enjoying everyday and not worrying about tomorrow. Not making things a bigger deal than they are. I love your description of the action of you slowing down (does that make sense?) It sounds divine. One way my husband and I are trying to slow down is by going away for a few days every month or so.
PS. I love Joe Cocker.
I couldn’t agree more. I was raised on a dairy farm in Ohio and I can remember doing all those things that you talk about. Only problem is, I was a youngster and the pace was too slow, we weren’t “hip” enough and I couldn’t wait to get away from all that cow manure. Now, after 40+ years, I look at my little pitiful garden and wish I had the huge one that we had as a kid. But the HOA wouldn’t allow that. I have vowed to myself that one day I will have it all again. A garden that I will have enough to “can” from, and a horse again.
I only hope that it’s before my bones are too brittle that I break a hip walking out to the field….LOL
I couldn’t agree more. I was raised on a dairy farm in Ohio and I can remember doing all those things that you talk about. Only problem is, I was a youngster and the pace was too slow, we weren’t “hip” enough and I couldn’t wait to get away from all that cow manure. Now, after 40+ years, I look at my little pitiful garden and wish I had the huge one that we had as a kid. But the HOA wouldn’t allow that. I have vowed to myself that one day I will have it all again. A garden that I will have enough to “can” from, and a horse again.
I only hope that it’s before my bones are too brittle that I break a hip walking out to the field….LOL
~~Slooooooooooooooooow Down, Baby.
I’m tryin’
Luv Ya, Nan 🙂
~~Slooooooooooooooooow Down, Baby.
I’m tryin’
Luv Ya, Nan 🙂
Slow down is good! Once I figured out that I was missing life by allowing it to run me, I think I became a better person. I was more relaxed and more fun to be around. What was my hurry? Would I enjoy it once I got there. I want to enjoy the projects I complete.
Slow down is good! Once I figured out that I was missing life by allowing it to run me, I think I became a better person. I was more relaxed and more fun to be around. What was my hurry? Would I enjoy it once I got there. I want to enjoy the projects I complete.