Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Lessons from struggle - Slow down!

We live in a fast-paced society. Hurry up and get there. Do it... finish it, so you can quickly get to the next thing. Hurrying sometimes gets the job done, but it also can lead to stress and accidents. When we are more thoughtful and deliberate about what we are doing, things still get done. And sometimes with more accuracy, thoroughness, and even creativity.

We feel the push to move quickly, and we pull our children right along with us. "Hurry up!" becomes a battle cry when we are frustrated that they do not understand our busy schedules. Then, the stresses of the day are felt by us all. What a horrible way to start the day!

Planning ahead for the day can help us set priorities about what is really most important. We can ask ourselves some questions - What are the most important things I need to accomplish today? What am I going to do today that will be fun, or will bring joy and pleasure? What am I doing today to relax? What am I doing today to enhance mental and physical health?

Children can be our teachers. They often take their time to explore with focus and interest. And we can be good role models for them. Slow down. Live more intentionally. Notice the details. Enjoy!

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