{image from Ms Ladyred's flickr site}We hear so much about the pace of our lives: the incredible need to slow down and enjoy the grace around us.
It may seem as though slowing down is a romantic idea, only realized in an oceanfront villa amidst sun and surf. But, the ability we have to slow ourselves down is very tangible here and now, amidst the snow and cold (and least as it is here, in Upstate New York!)
Thich Nhat Hahn said once, that what we do with the pace of our lives is “print sorrow and anxiety on the earth.” What a profound thought. How I walk through my life says a lot about the affect I have on the situations around me.
In so many aspects of our lives, we can make choices for slower movement (the kind of movement that allows you to truly see and hear what is happening around you: perhaps the door that you have been waiting for, or the message that inspires you to take another step forward.) But, as we run…it becomes challenging to notice these gifts of God.
But, what happens when the responsibilities of my life require me to move briskly? What if the reality of where I am in my life, summons me to move about quickly to attend to the very real needs of my day?
In these moments, I can focus my attention on the pace of my words. We have become so comfortable with our words, saying things, I think, without even giving it a second thought. We talk so quickly, our e-mails are coded to be quickly deciphered, and our advice to ourselves or others is quickly dispersed, so that we can get onto the next moment.
But, slow down!
Think for a minute about what your words say about you, the life you live and what you believe to be of value in the world. Ask yourself: Do my words represent me well? Does my tone create an underscore of peace and gentleness in my life? Do I react to situations in my life so quickly that my words take on a life outside of “who I am”?
I try to teach my children that their words have value, both in what the say and how they say it. In just a moment when words are spoken sincerely and peacefully, a person can be transformed. It’s a powerful tool in our lives that I think we so often overlook.
So speak, peacefully, generously, joyfully, and sincerely! Your words have important work to do today; Enjoy!
Until next time, we take a sacred pause…
It may seem as though slowing down is a romantic idea, only realized in an oceanfront villa amidst sun and surf. But, the ability we have to slow ourselves down is very tangible here and now, amidst the snow and cold (and least as it is here, in Upstate New York!)
Thich Nhat Hahn said once, that what we do with the pace of our lives is “print sorrow and anxiety on the earth.” What a profound thought. How I walk through my life says a lot about the affect I have on the situations around me.
In so many aspects of our lives, we can make choices for slower movement (the kind of movement that allows you to truly see and hear what is happening around you: perhaps the door that you have been waiting for, or the message that inspires you to take another step forward.) But, as we run…it becomes challenging to notice these gifts of God.
But, what happens when the responsibilities of my life require me to move briskly? What if the reality of where I am in my life, summons me to move about quickly to attend to the very real needs of my day?
In these moments, I can focus my attention on the pace of my words. We have become so comfortable with our words, saying things, I think, without even giving it a second thought. We talk so quickly, our e-mails are coded to be quickly deciphered, and our advice to ourselves or others is quickly dispersed, so that we can get onto the next moment.
But, slow down!
Think for a minute about what your words say about you, the life you live and what you believe to be of value in the world. Ask yourself: Do my words represent me well? Does my tone create an underscore of peace and gentleness in my life? Do I react to situations in my life so quickly that my words take on a life outside of “who I am”?
I try to teach my children that their words have value, both in what the say and how they say it. In just a moment when words are spoken sincerely and peacefully, a person can be transformed. It’s a powerful tool in our lives that I think we so often overlook.
So speak, peacefully, generously, joyfully, and sincerely! Your words have important work to do today; Enjoy!
Until next time, we take a sacred pause…
