A Little Bit Slower Now

Monday, June 21st, 2021

“Once she stopped rushing through life, she was amazed how much more life she had time for.” ~ Unknown

**“Most people’s minds are almost always too busy for them to feel their skins being caressed by the wind or the sun.” ~ Mokokoma Mokhonoana**

Speed walk, speed talk, speed sleep, speed…

Speed read, speed eat, speed o’s?

I used to speed through everything. I’d speed walk so fast my jeans sparked. I electrocuted myself frequently whenever I grabbed door knobs. Each time I nervously reached for the metal handle in anticipation of being shocked and brutally jolted. It probably looked like I was sneaking into my apartment every night.

Speed talking …

Most of the time I’d speed talk so fast I’d combine and/or condense words.

“Do wanna drab ginner?” “Go froalk?” (go for a walk)

I even used to speed bathe … Soak for two minutes, well that’s enough of that. Basically that was my pace with everything for a very long time.

Not a moment wasted.

I used to jump out in front of traffic, narrowly escaping death, just to get to the other side, just so I didn’t have to stand still. I’d go nuts just standing there. What am I supposed to do now, wait??

Now when a driver waves to me letting me know that I can cross the street first and then waits for me to make a move, I motion back with a fling of my hand, no you go. Sometimes this continues for a while. I always appreciate the gesture even though the vehicle is much faster, but I go, I run along because I’m a pedestrian.

So when I must go first, I always want to repay the “favor” and walk really fast so they don’t regret it. That’s when I sprint across the street while waving profusely with my bags in the air and nodding my head in appreciation. It probably looks like I’m crossing over hot coals in an impromptu jungle dance while I’m still smiling and waving, way too much, until they peel past me with raised eyebrows.

Then I continue on to the next street corner and give it another whirl. “Me? Me first? No, you go. You go ahead. Ok, I’ll go, I’ll go. THANK YOU!”

I”m not saying I’m zen now and that I crawl around and nap a lot, not even close, not yet, I just like a little bit more ease and flow in my life. Peace is what I’m trying to say.

Slowing it down, here and there, just enough to enjoy the moment that I’m in for a change. When I think to. It’s all mental. I’m mental. I mean, it doesn’t come naturally, that’s what I’m trying to say, yeah, I have to consciously tap in, take a breath, hold it, then let it out, 4, 3, 2, 1.

I like slowing it down, here and there.

Now.

“If you’re always racing to the next moment, what happens to the one you’re in? Slow down and enjoy the moment you’re in and live your life to the fullest.” ~ Nanette Mathews

This weeks song: Slow Down by Keb’ Mo’ on Spotify/YouTube.