Take your foot off the accelerator….

Or for those in the U.S. … off the gas!

Yesterday I was driving home from work. (I could probably walk. It would take me half an hour or so but in the afternoons, walking is the last thing I feel like). Anyway, as I was driving up one of the streets on my way home, I realised I was doing over the speed limit as I was in a hurry to get home. Once I realised, I backed right off and thought “Why am I in a hurry”? After all, my house wasn’t going to get up and run away. My family would still be there waiting for me. Everything was still going to be normal, so why not slow down and enjoy the ride?

Remember the words from Simon and Garfunkel? “Slow down, you move too fast. You’ve got to make the moment last”. It got me to thinking about life. These days we need everything quickly or right now. The age of technology for all it’s amazing advances, has robbed us of the pleasure of slowing down. Let’s face it, the fact that things can be done so much more quickly these days means that we can cram more in the day and do more work. The way I see it, more work means more stress. Less time means more stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety lead to depression. Am I right? So we really aren’t doing ourselves any favours by rushing everywhere and needing everything NOW.

Today I challenge you to be like my cat (Her Royal Highness Princess Smudge) who worries about nothing. Whilst I don’t suggest that spending the day sleeping (as she does) is the right way to go, I do suggest taking note of her other qualities. She doesn’t care what we think of her. She follows her own routines. She takes her time doing everything. She is curious about everything. She is R-E-L-A-X-E-D.

On your way to work this morning, take the time to notice what is going on around you. Are there children playing as they walk to school? Does your neighbour have a beautiful garden? Can you hear the birds? Can you smell coffee? Slow down. Look for the beauty. Count your blessings. And breathe…..