Because my mind speeds from one thought to the next, from problems to more problems to possible solutions, from memories of the past to projections into the future, it helps me to slow down.
When I slow down, I can let go of that panicky feeling that I have to act RIGHT NOW to head off negative consequences.
With my extremely rare heart condition (which makes my heart slow down to dangerous levels if I don’t have an implanted cardiac device), I have to slow down on hills and stairs, and I don’t like that. Also, it’s difficult for me to slow down because I’ve always believed I have limited time on this earth. Indeed, earlier this week I started writing a song called “Assuming I’m Going to Die Soon” (which might slow down the sales of my album).
Assuming I’m going to die soon
Makes me want to finish this tune.
It makes me want to do everything
I ever wanted to do,
And not waste time
Because it’s a crime
If you die leaving things
That you still want to do.
©️ Ann Koplow, 2023
I need to slow down and think about more lyrics for that song.
Because the overload of pictures and words on my phone caused a slow down and a stop of my photos loading for yesterday’s blog post, I have twice as many images to share with you today, so I hope you can slow down and enjoy them.
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“Slow Down” makes me think of this song:
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Slow down and take in my gratitude for you!
I lost the reply I wrote because I pressed the “previous” button by accident rather than reply, something that has happened a few times recently.
I remember a post from long ago in which you described participating in a walking or almost running event that had a bit of a hill in it and you had gone up it successfully. I think your heart always demands attention. It has that personality. But you look after it very well!
Thanks for your kind and loving attention, Maureen.
I get the anxiety about getting things done. After a lifetime of grasshoppering about doing this, that, and the other thing, but always intending to write, when I turned 60 I was brought up short by the realization that, after a long life of LSD, Marlboros, and rock ‘n’ roll, I was probably almost dead. So I quit smoking and wrote three novels. Then a bunch of short stories. And now I stick mostly to essays on my website, barbarasbookhouse. And whaddya know. At 80, I’m still lurching along, no longer regretting a single wasted moment.
I savored this beautiful comment slowly, Barbara.
I’m a fan of baby steps through life, as if I’m looking to the next thing, I’m missing the moment.
I’m a fan of you and of how step through life, beth.
I think most of the mistakes I make at work are caused by rushing to get things done so I can go on to what I want to do. The answer to this problem is, of course, to slow down, and also to have less work.
Make no mistake, Chris, I love your comments.
You fit more into your hours than most people I’ve encountered Ann!
I appreciate every encounter with you, my friend.