Okay this post was inspired by my friend and old teammate Brittany Fisher (check out her blog Slow Down Sister). She talks about how she was forced to slow down after going over a hundred miles per hour for 21 years. Although my situation is a lot different from hers (I didn't fall off a cliff), I find similarities in her story. When I first got married I realized that me & Landon lived our lives at different paces. I was usually (figuratively) going way over the speed limit (like Brittany), I always was busy doing something. Our first year of marriage it seemed like I was always waiting on Landon. I think the country song "Waiting on a Woman" should really be waiting on a man. I remember feeling really frustrated when Landon would stop at a yellow light!
Next came motherhood! Now, it takes me an extra 30 minutes to just get out the door. I use to be able to get ready and be to church in 10 minutes. I'm late for everything now. These days it seems like an hour isn't long enough. I have to make sure the diaper bag has diapers, wipes, snacks, toys plus make sure William has clothes, matching socks (I fail at this one 50% of the time), shoes, hair combed and hopefully I remember to clean his face off from breakfast! Sometimes after I put William to bed, I am so sad that I didn't enjoy him more because I was too busy running around and trying to hurry. I schedule way to many things, and sometimes it makes life stressful and well.....not enjoyable. Sometimes being busy helps us feel accomplished but it is like running on a treadmill! A treadmill is never ending. Let us remember that "the journey is the destination! I think it is important that everyone slows it down and appreciates what is around them! Here is a list of ten things to help me and hopefully you do that!
Next came motherhood! Now, it takes me an extra 30 minutes to just get out the door. I use to be able to get ready and be to church in 10 minutes. I'm late for everything now. These days it seems like an hour isn't long enough. I have to make sure the diaper bag has diapers, wipes, snacks, toys plus make sure William has clothes, matching socks (I fail at this one 50% of the time), shoes, hair combed and hopefully I remember to clean his face off from breakfast! Sometimes after I put William to bed, I am so sad that I didn't enjoy him more because I was too busy running around and trying to hurry. I schedule way to many things, and sometimes it makes life stressful and well.....not enjoyable. Sometimes being busy helps us feel accomplished but it is like running on a treadmill! A treadmill is never ending. Let us remember that "the journey is the destination! I think it is important that everyone slows it down and appreciates what is around them! Here is a list of ten things to help me and hopefully you do that!
10 Ways to Slow It Down
ONE: STOP
Stop whatever you are doing including reading this, look around you & find the beauty! Do this at least once a day!
TWO: NO TECHNOLOGY DAY OR HOUR
No Technology Day- if possible try to do a day without internet or cell phones! Me and Landon did this once & it was so hard! If not try devoting at least a portion of your day to be without them! Do this at least once a month but possibly once a day!
THREE: DECLUTTER
Declutter your life-Make a list of all the things you need to get done in your day and then eliminate unnecessary items!
FOUR: NATURE
Go for a walk, rollerblade, hike and enjoy it (Competitive Persons: This is NOT a race).
FIVE: FAMILY
Make time for family because this is one of the most important parts of our lives. Family brings us the most joy!
SIX: REMEMBER MOMENTS
Write in your journal or on a paper (if you don't have one) about something fantastic that happened to you that day (do this once a week).
SEVEN: REMINISCE
Remember the old days, tell your children about the old days and then go make new great memories!
EIGHT: QUIET TIME
Carve out some quiet time each and every day. "Those things you notice when you get quiet, those fears you know you need to overcome, are the very things that need your intention and purpose to move forward".
NINE: BE KIND
Smile, give thanks, love, and always be kind! I was walking in a Sam's Club parking lot the other day and a family called at me, "Mam, you forgot your smile". After an embarrassing minute of searching the ground for something I had dropped I figured it out. My face lit into a smile. The girl then said "You found it"!
TEN: BASICS
Slow down, breathe and enjoy every single moment you are in! Focus on where you are at and find peace in where you are at (even if you are my husband who works a ton & has school).
ONE: STOP
Stop whatever you are doing including reading this, look around you & find the beauty! Do this at least once a day!
TWO: NO TECHNOLOGY DAY OR HOUR
No Technology Day- if possible try to do a day without internet or cell phones! Me and Landon did this once & it was so hard! If not try devoting at least a portion of your day to be without them! Do this at least once a month but possibly once a day!
THREE: DECLUTTER
Declutter your life-Make a list of all the things you need to get done in your day and then eliminate unnecessary items!
FOUR: NATURE
Go for a walk, rollerblade, hike and enjoy it (Competitive Persons: This is NOT a race).
FIVE: FAMILY
Make time for family because this is one of the most important parts of our lives. Family brings us the most joy!
SIX: REMEMBER MOMENTS
Write in your journal or on a paper (if you don't have one) about something fantastic that happened to you that day (do this once a week).
SEVEN: REMINISCE
Remember the old days, tell your children about the old days and then go make new great memories!
EIGHT: QUIET TIME
Carve out some quiet time each and every day. "Those things you notice when you get quiet, those fears you know you need to overcome, are the very things that need your intention and purpose to move forward".
NINE: BE KIND
Smile, give thanks, love, and always be kind! I was walking in a Sam's Club parking lot the other day and a family called at me, "Mam, you forgot your smile". After an embarrassing minute of searching the ground for something I had dropped I figured it out. My face lit into a smile. The girl then said "You found it"!
TEN: BASICS
Slow down, breathe and enjoy every single moment you are in! Focus on where you are at and find peace in where you are at (even if you are my husband who works a ton & has school).