Try Slowing Down

“For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.” —Lily Tomlin

Do you ever feel like the world is moving too fast? I’m reminded of the 1960s cartoon The Jetsons when during the closing credits George would walk the family dog Astro on the outer space treadmill, then a cat would show up making the dog go wild, the leash would break causing George to go round and round the treadmill, defying gravity of course, and hanging on for dear life while yelling to his wife, “Help! Help! Jane. Stop this crazy thing!”

Well, that’s how I’m feeling right now. “Stop this crazy thing!”

The election is behind us and I don’t know about you, but I am exhausted! The anticipation and celebration, so much excitement and engagement—and such stimulation: amazing images, laugh-out-loud jokes, angry tirades, inspiring op-ed pieces, moving videos, tear-inducing songs. I kind of miss it, but damn, my adrenals need a vacation.

I was going to write about a completely different subject today. But it felt like too much thinking and not enough flow. Flow, you know, that rhythm of life power force, always there moving under the surface like an underground stream. Tapping into that flow and out of the other (the insistence of computers, TV and radio, multi-tasking and the urgency of doing, doing, doing) offers more balance for sure.  For me, it’s a challenge to stay grounded and keep it simple in my revved-up city slicker Glamour-do life.

One thing I’ve learned in my midlife years is that life lessons present themselves over and over again. We may choose to learn and grow and not repeat our mistakes, or we can ignore the lessons, as we may have done when we were younger. Now the difference is that we recognize what we’re avoiding. Two steps forward, one step back—another life rhythm requiring forgiveness, patience and grace.

As I spin around in my own little world, in my big flowery skirt, I am reminded of the Whirling Dervishes, the mystical dancers whose twirling meditations reflect the orbiting planets, as they stand between the material and cosmic worlds. I’m going to try slowing down. In my world, I’m seeing more naps and more yoga, more time in nature and more time for reflection. More is less and less is more, especially when going with the flow. So, as I check off a couple more items from the almighty to-do list, maybe I’ll find that breathing space. Have you found yours?

NOTE: I had originally planned on writing about a documentary airing on PBS’s Independent Lens tonight called Lioness, about America’s first generation of female combat veterans. They went to Iraq as cooks, clerks, mechanics and liaisons and wound up in the line of fire.  Due to current military policies, they are untrained for combat and upon their return it is harder for them to get the help they need for combat-related trauma. How could that happen? Learn more and check local listings >>
(Full disclosure: I worked on this website, but that’s not why I’m recommending this film.)

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