"I like walking because it is slow, and I suspect that
the mind, like the feet, work at about three miles an hour.
If this is so, then modern life is moving faster than
the speed of thought or thoughtfulness."
REBECCA SOLNIT, Wanderlust
An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day, so said Henry David Thoreau long ago. How true. Even though I don't always start out my day that way, it is one of those little things that still gives me a thrill when I do go. There is something about the freshness of the air at this time of day with its inviting sense of newness. It invigorates and often inspires my thoughts as I consider what I shall be about that day. It gives me a chance to pace my thoughts as I walk out those recommended ten thousand steps.
These days I don't want to rush anywhere. I don't want to be in a hurry. I want to move at the speed of thoughtfulness. Taking my time to bake a loaf of bread or prepare a meal. Even taking my time and not being impatient as I defrost the freezer. I want to relax into a good book or with dear friends over coffee. To notice the signs of the changing season. Of which there are many. Families of Canada Geese lift off from the small pond nearby as they prepare their young for their maiden flights south later in the season. I especially notice the slight nip in the air even on a warm day and the slant of the light in the early morning and at sunset. As a young boy once quipped to poet Naomi Shihab Nye—"it gets late so early now!"
It's easy to get caught up in the rushing around, hurrying everywhere we go. When Rick and I get tied up in traffic or I get caught in a long line at the grocery store, I try to remember there isn't anything (not usually) that I need to huff and be impatient about. I feel myself relaxing into ' just being' in that moment. In whatever I'm doing.
It feels good.
I hope you have a beautiful day... where you have time to walk and live at the speed of thoughtfulness.
❦
Sending love and heart hugs,
Brenda
Photo credits:
Top Image by Summa from Pixabay
I'm with you, Brenda. There are enough other people around who are rushing about and being impatient. Being and not Doing is a goal I try to work on every day. I love that quote by Rebecca Solnit. It's going into my quote book. Thank you for another lovely and unhurried post.
ReplyDeleteYes, there are many who rush about in life... thankfully we're in the season where we don't have to join them. We can choose the slower lane. Thanks, Joy, for your note.
DeleteI am learning to be slower Brenda, after so many years of making sure life ran to a timetable. It's so good to just stand in the garden, relish gazing at the plants and bushes, having a chat with my little robin.... Yes, slow is good.
ReplyDeleteJust having a chat with your little robin... I love it, Barbara. I chat with the magpies who chatter away in the trees these days. There are seasons for it all. Right now I'm glad I'm in the slow lane.
DeleteYou have got it Brenda, the secret to enjoy life. Once you learn to appreciate the simple things in life and have a heart of gratitude towards the Giver, life would be smooth sailing in spite of severe weather forecast alerts. Have a great and beautiful day!
ReplyDeleteHaving a heart of gratitude is the key, I agree, Sulo. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteYes! To all the above<3 I too am making a more concentrated effort to living in the moments as they slip...because like you said, 'It's easy to get caught up in the rushing around, hurrying everywhere we go.' and this always leaves me with an empty feeling of having missed out somehow! Wishing you many mindful moments on summer's farewell tour!
ReplyDeleteSummer's farewell tour... yes, it's truly wrap up days now. We're still mostly green here, but things start to have that autumn feel and look. Take care, dear Janet.
DeleteI love that concept, Brenda, and I like this way of capturing it in words: "the speed of thoughtfulness." It is a busy season for me (many responsibilities with my aging mom) and I am out of the house much more than I would like to be, but even in a busy season, it is good for the heart to be at rest.
ReplyDeleteYes, isn't that a lovely phrase 'the speed of thoughtfulness'? I found Rebecca's quote online and went in search of her book. Hoping to find many more lovely thoughts as I read it. Thanks, Cheryl, for stopping by. Wishing you His grace during this busy season you are in.
DeleteI 'clipped' the quote, Brenda. It's a nice one to ponder. I've been forced to slow down as I heal from foot surgery. I don't miss rushing around at all. Your post prompts me to think about the slow, ordinary things I do miss. I may write a blog post ;)
ReplyDeleteFoot surgery definitely slows down a person - a good time for slower pursuits. Thanks, Karen, for stopping by, I hope you wrote that blog post. I'm coming to see. :)
DeleteLiving at the speed of thoughtfulness is, indeed, a good thing to do. Many times I feel myself rushing but I also like to slow down and appreciate all that is before me. Life is so precious, for sure, and we must savor every tiny bit of it. Thank you for your sweet words, Brenda. Hugs. Susan
ReplyDeleteSusan, you are definitely one of those people who does know how to slow down and enjoy the moments. You share them so well on your blog. Thanks for stopping by. xo
DeleteIt does feel good to put on patience when the first temptation is to react impatiently. I'm sure it helps the blood pressure too. It's getting late earlier here, too. I kind of like the change, but I do wish it started later in the year. ;^)
ReplyDeleteWe're having a slow start to autumn. It's still pretty green around here this year, which isn't the usual case. But there is the scent and cool crispness in the air that will remind us it's not summer anymore, and there's no pretending anymore. Thanks, Becki, for taking a moment to chat.
DeleteRushing when we don't need to is a sign, for me at least, that we're creatures of habit! Habits can be good or bad. Isn't it wonderful when we become aware of the bad ones so that we can turn them into good ones! I love that quote and the photo. It's a lovely reminder to slow down my thoughts so I can notice what's actually going on in and around me. ❤️Cathy
ReplyDelete