What slows you down?

Everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace.

MAY SARTON

Yesterday, I had a tooth extraction, so I spent the day moving very slowly. I read an article in Lion’s Roar about Maryland’s Poet Laureate Grace Cavalier, who shared the idea that reading and writing poetry can slow people down.

Slowing down is the precursor to self-awareness. The act of being able to notice details of self, others, and the environment. The ability to pause before making a choice. In my opinion this is also the root of gratefulness; the way to prepare the soil before planting seeds.

Things that slow me down:

• mediation
• a hot cup of tea
• walking anywhere with small children
• the open sky
• reading out loud
• swimming in deep water
• a few deep breaths
• listening to birds
• eye contact
• laughing and crying
• waiting in line
• long moments in nature
• movement and breath
• listening to people, especially children
• sharing food with friends and family
• flying on an airplane
• music

On the road to find out.