This post is about how I attempt to slow down. I am not good enough, yet, but I strive to making slowing down part of my daily regime. We all get so busy being busy that we forget to take care of ourselves. How familiar does “so busy being busy” sound to you? Slowing down is not easy. Here are a few of the ways I slow down.
Breakfast on the Porch
Some of the simple pleasures in life are overlooked because we fill our To Do lists with more things than are necessary. Seek the sunshine & take time to enjoy the little things that are often overlooked. I sat on the porch watching the dogs play in the yard while savoring my coffee, peanut butter, banana, and my mom’s amazing pumpkin bread.
I sat in the sunshine, feeling the warmth on my face. Fluffy white clouds floated across the most brilliant blue sky. Birds chirped and dug in the yard for worms but occasionally flew off when the dogs got too close. Squirrels scurried up and down the trees, jumping from limb to limb, and running across the yard chasing each other as if they were playing tag. I laughed out loud at the dogs while watching them run, jump, and play. They didn’t pay any attention to me!! They were enjoying the moment…..and so was I. This short moment in time set the tone for my day and I was more than thankful that I took this time for myself before I did anything else.
Take a Hike
Is there anything better than sunshine, great company, and wagging tails? It resets everything for me to spend time enjoying the outdoors with my favs. Getting these 2 to sit still long enough for a picture is virtually impossible. I seriously think they could have Tom Cruise make a Mission Impossible: Dog Nation movie. It would take an entire crew, multiple wardrobe changes, a few days of production, and several “water and treat” breaks, and even then it would still take the entire 2 hours of movie time in order to get THE picture. But, walking behind them while they wag their tails and shift from side to side sniffing everything makes me smile. I love to see the looks on the faces of the people we come in contact with when they see Auggie doing her absolute best to hold it together when all she really wants is to run at full speed and give as many kisses as possible to every person she sees. Her whole body shakes and her spine turns into jello as her booty jiggles from side to side. That is, honestly, enough to wipe all bad things from a day. Give your animals a chance to remind you how wonderful your world is.
Read a Book
I love to read. Laying back on the couch, zipped into a sleeping bag, with a cup of hot Oolong tea, reading a book with Kai squished between my hip and the back of the couch is just another way I like to relax. I have always loved to read and right now I am reading Blood and Money, a true story of murder, conspiracy, and cover-up in the death of a Houston socialite. Reading is something that I have always loved to do. It is a great way to relax.
**SLOW DOWN!! Enjoy your life. There is no better time to start enjoying the days you have. Don’t wait until the “perfect time” to relax or enjoy the life you have because you will NEVER get this day back. Find small ways each day to relax, enjoy, and reset.
