Today I woke up with a tickle in my throat and a determination not to let this turn into a full summer cold. I thought about all of the calls and emails and busy work that I had to do before seeing my clients. I could rush to work and try to cross everything off of my to-do list. Or I could acknowledge that I wouldn’t get some things done, move slowly throughout the day, and not let the cold take over.
There was a point in my life when I wouldn’t have even considered slowing down. I would go to work and get everything done regardless of how I was feeling. But that way of living was harder and more rushed than it needed to be. Now I value and work towards peace and calm and joy in my life. It is still a struggle at times but a struggle that I am active in.
Now when I have the first signs of a cold I pause and think about how I can slow down and rest. Sometimes it means that I take a nap or go to bed early. Other times, like today, it means that I move slowly through my day. I walk more slowly and am more deliberate about my movements. While I never enjoy being sick I do appreciate it as an opportunity and reminder to slow down.
What forces you to slow down?