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Why Slowing Down Is Key to Your Success
CHANGING LANES: LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE
While celebrating the life and death of my incredible 97-year old grandmother this past weekend, I’ve been contemplating the deeper mysteries. What is a life well-lived? How to build a formidable family? What brings us the most quality in life?
One thing stands out: SLOW DOWN.
i.e. Let go. Pay attention. Appreciate the finer things in life. Trust.
In mindfulness practices, we learn to pay attention to the present moment, done most effectively by paying attention to our breath. When we place our attention on the breath, we slow the brain down to the rhythm of the body. We slow the body down to the rhythm of the breath.
One of my mentors and colleagues calls this driving in the slow lane. She sits quietly (knowingly) in the background of my life, encouraging me at poignant moments to slow down. “Easy Does It.”, she encourages.
Among the legacies I inherit from my family of wholesome, Illinois farmers is a great appreciation for the nature of things. I can assure you, there is no rushing in farming. You can’t hurry the corn up during it’s growing cycle. You can’t push the rain or sunshine to come out and play. You can only surrender to the way things are, the Tao. Ahhh….breathe deep. Enjoy the cycle of life. There is a time for every season.
Here’s to life in the slow lane.
Please leave a comment with how you choose to slow down this week and trust the process.
From Illinois with love,
Ashley
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Excellent advice Ashley. This week I was at work rushing to and fro, literally speeding down hallways in order to complete my tasks. At some point I realized the pressure I had placed on myself was unrealistic and I slowed down. I decided to analyze each step I took, the color of the carpeting, the movement of my feet–these were great ways to stay in the moment. I will continue to be mindful. Thanks!
Thank you for your message. I am very sorry about the loss of your grandmother.
On the topic of slowing down, take a few extra-minutes to stretch your walking meditation! Instead of walking at your normal pace, slow your pace, cover less distance but walk the same amount of time. It slows everything for me and I am more present!
ePrana to you!
CarlosG
thanks for this. my body and health require the slow lane now because of years of living faster than I can. The challenge is making the mind believe, or trust that all will be ok if i slow down…can i take care of my needs in this rushed world by slowing down…the answer is.. yes, of course.. and we are still working out the answer to ..”how?”
one breath at a time…
thanks again.
That’s easy to say.
I think this is so useful. I work in the career change guidance field and a lot of personal growth resources I come across do have an element of panic about them – ‘life is short, don’t waste it’ ‘don’t get to X age living with regrets that you didn’t do XYZ’. This can almost put pressure on us to be super productive, to not ‘waste time’, to be hyper-aware of when we’re not working towards our goals etc. When we’re going through any kind of change or transformation we need time, not just to unfold into the new phase but also taking time for self-care.
Thank you for this timely reminder, Ahsley. Your video was the first thing that popped on my Google Plus page when I turned the computer on and I do believe in synchronicity. I will light a candle now and meditate. Then I will pull an oracle card and sit with the message… I was actually going to work all weekend. I think this is a message from the universe that I need a break. Thanks again. Blessings, Lisa