Slowing Down, Again

Why does the act of slowing down challenge me in so many arenas of life? I walk fast, drive fast, talk fast and often load my days with too many activities.

Walking

I grew up in Chicago and like to blame the weather and city hustle for my walking fast. I used to take public transportation to work. Hopping off the bus, I darted to my office building, trying to escape the wind. Even on nice, sunny days I walked fast so I could get to work sooner or catch the bus home.

Looking back, I realize I walked fast even as a child. I have a vivid memory of walking with my Aunt Rose. I initially could not keep up with her stride. She walked so fast! I learned at an early age to pick up my speed. Speed had benefits: you got to your destination sooner and burned off calories. With benefits, come drawbacks. I missed out on the beauty surrounding me.

Having children reopened my eyes to the beauty surrounding me. When out walking with them, I tried to slow down. At that time we lived in California, up on a hill. The trail eventually revealed the ocean. As we walked, I would point out the colorful wild flowers, butterflies, snakes, whatever my eyes noticed. I loved this time because in trying to open their eyes to the world’s beauty, it slowed me down enough to reopen my eyes.

Do you notice the world around you when you walk? Do you ever stop to literally smell the roses?

Driving

Like walking, when I drive fast, I miss my surroundings. I get annoyed with drivers moving slowly. My patience goes out the window. I do not know why, but I love driving fast! Slowing down when I drive continues to be a challenge for me. I need to continue to work on it.

My current game plan: instead of 10 miles over the speed limit on freeways, I try to go 5 miles (I should go the speed limit but I strive for realistic goals). On side streets, I try to do the speed limit (in spite of someone tailing ME!). Planning my time better so I do not rush out the door and inevitably speed to make destination on time.

What about you, do you notice your surroundings while driving? Do you always seem to be running out the door, rushing from place to place?

Talking

Even without caffeine, I tend to speak quickly. Speaking quickly can lead to word vomit: spewing words that end up hurting. I have to consciously think about slowing down when speaking. Instead of reacting to the other person, I try to pause, to take a breath. I tap into the Holy Spirit and speak as Christ would. He speaks truth gently; He would never slander, attack, lash-out or intentionally/unintentionally be hurtful. He would not word vomit.

I wish I could say I take a beat before I speak, always. Being human, and imperfect, I continue to work on this. I admit, I need to do a better job at letting Christ help me.

Do you tend to react or respond to people? How well do you listen? Have you ever stopped and checked in with the Holy Spirit, asking Him what to say or if you should even speak?

Exercising

Do you plow through exercising, working as fast as you can to get it over with? First off, good job for exercising! But instead of plowing through, slow down. Intentionally focus on what muscles the exercise works. Intentionally connect mind to that body part. Moving slowly tends to make the exercise harder. Slowly moving applies to doing weights, Pilates, Yoga, floor exercises, etc.

Moving quickly allows for more repetitions of an exercise but does not work the muscle as well. Good form also gets compromised. Not going fast, slowing down, allows the muscles to work harder, even if that means we do not do as many reps.

We need to learn to listen to our bodies. If a body part hurts, rest it. Feeling exhausted? Get to bed earlier. Choose sleep over watching TV, computer, phone or any number of things.

How well do you listen to what your body tells you? Do you make time to exercise, take care of your body? When your body tells you it needs rest, do you slow down, even take a cat nap? Do you intentionally schedule less so you can get to bed earlier?

Scheduling

I used to be guilty of over scheduling my days. A typical day would minimally have at least three activities scheduled. I had trouble saying “No”. My days had no margin.

God had to physically slow me down. Back in 2020 when the world shut down from COVID, I too shut down with breast cancer. My days involved doctor appointments, treatments. Interacting with people was tiring.

I learned the hard way that I had to use my voice to let people know when I was tired. Assuming people knew this without me telling them was foolish. I learned what my body could take and how to say “no” to countless Zoom opportunities, limiting my commitments to at most one in a day. Back then, usually one a week.

By God physically slowing me down, I learned how to not only enjoy stillness but how to be still. I grew in strength from time with God. My identity and worth grew as I learned to see myself from His eyes. I learned that setting boundaries with my time benefitted not only me but my relationships. Everyone got “more” of me in the end.

All that said, I still need to be intentional with my time. Since I innately love being with people and helping others, I can fall easily into over scheduling my days. Slowing down takes intentionality and action. As these align, confidence grows.

Do you rush from one activity to the next? Can you think of ways you can change to help break this pattern? How present are you in each activity you do?

Claiming a slower life

When we resolve to slow down, we learn to say no gracefully, resist temptations to constantly chase after more pleasure or social engagements. We learn to see the world around us, the good in people placed in our lives. Our lives become more content, fuller, healthier, happier, filled with gratefulness.

Prayer

As Jermiah asked, “What’s the hurry? Why do you wear yourselves out? What are you after anyway?” Jesus, I pray for Your assistance in helping us slow down. Remind us to tap into the Holy Spirit who can equip us to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. May God keep us centered and devoted to Him, following the life path that He has cleared, watching the signposts, walking at the pace and rhythms He laid down”.

Jeremiah 2:25 (The Message), James 1:19, 1 Kings 8:58 (The Message)