Powerful principles. Practical application.

“Smile, breathe, and go slowly.� – Thich Nhat Hanh

\r\n\r\n\r\nWhy are we in such a hurry to get to the next thing?\r\n\r\nWhy do we feel such an intense pressure to rush?\r\n

\r\n\r\n

\r\n
• We have to hurry up and get in bed…

\r\n

• so we can hurry up and get up…

\r\n

• so we can hurry up and eat breakfast…

\r\n

• so we can hurry up and get to work…

\r\n

• so we can hurry up and check our email…

\r\n

• so we can hurry up and meet deadlines…

\r\n

• so we can hurry up and get home…

\r\n

• so we can hurry up and eat dinner…

\r\n

• so we can hurry up and get the kids ready for bed…

\r\n

• so we can hurry up and get in bed ourselves…

\r\n

• so we can hurry up and start all over.

\r\n

\r\nSeriously?\r\n

“People who spend all their time trying to make money, spend all their money trying to make time. Be wealthy in moments.” – Bob Goff

\r\nWhere did this hurry-up monster come from? Who created him? And how can we get rid of him?\r\n\r\nThe frenetic pace of our life is sucking the joy from it.\r\n

We can never enjoy the present moment, because our mind is always on the next.

\r\nAll around us are reflections of the chaotic pace of our lives- messy desks, cluttered email inboxes, dirty cars, half-finished projects…\r\n

Our calendars are full, but our hearts are empty.

\r\nWhy is it so ridiculously difficult to just slow down?\r\n\r\nDid the farmers of the 1920’s live in this perpetual state of stress? “Oh my! I’ve got two big fields to plow today!â€� I don\’t think  so.\r\n\r\nWhere did we go wrong? Life should be more than an endless series of distractions.\r\n\r\nAs kids, when the merry-go-round began to spin too fast, we’d drag our foot in the sand to slow it down. Why don’t we make up our minds to stop this crazy spinning?\r\n

\r\n
• Clear off your desk.

\r\n

• Clean out your purse.

\r\n

• Organize your car.

\r\n

• Cancel things on your calendar.

\r\n

• Schedule a specific block of time each day for social media and email, and ONLY do those things during that time. (Turn off email notifications, too.)

\r\n

• Complete some unfinished projects.

\r\n

\r\n \r\n\r\nStop living five seconds ahead. Live now. Focus on each moment, one at a time.\r\n\r\nStop and just watch your kids play.\r\n\r\nStop and actually savor the taste of your food.\r\n\r\nStop and just stare at the stars.\r\n\r\nEnjoy life, instead of just surviving it.\r\n\r\nThe merry-go-round is spinning too fast. I’m bailing.\r\n\r\nWhat advice do YOU have for slowing things down and enjoying life? You can comment by clicking here.