Experiments in Slowing Down

Here are a few experiments in slowing down and being present.  Pick one and try it on.  Notice what happens inside as you do it.

• Get in the longest line at the store and notice the people around you.  Pray for them.  Listen to them.
• Drive the speed limit.
• Stop at yellow lights.
• Return your own cart back to the front of the store.
• Park in the furthest parking spot and walk leisurely into the store, restaurant, building.
• Do one task at a time.  Do not multitask.  Do the dishes without being on the phone or watching TV.  Take a walk without listening to a book on tape.

A little more…

Take 5 minutes each day to just be.  5 minutes is not very long, but it is long enough to remind yourself that you are not the center of the universe.  It is long enough to remind yourself that you are loved by God.  It is long enough to take a breath and remember that your task that day is to love everyone with whom you come into contact.

Polaroids: 26 Years

On this, the 26th anniversary of our wedding, I thought I’d share some shots from our honeymoon.  Please bear in mind that these were taken in 1985.  I was 21 and Alan was 24.  Young pups, wet behind the ears and looking to the future.  I realize this photos have no aesthetic value.  They are just wonderful memories of our time together.

At the end of this post are a few quotes that I added to Alan’s 50th birthday book.  I think they are apropos as we count the years (miles?) that we have walked together.  Enjoy!

This is us making our escape.  Alan still swears that his friends were throwing the rice under-handed and that it went up his nose.

Alan’s brother, Dan, drove us to the airport – where he would wisk us off in…

…this little plane.  I have very little memory of the actual plane ride.  I do remember flying low next to some bluffs and over the ocean.  My main memory is looking into Alan’s eyes and feeling giddy with the fact that I was a “Mrs.”

This was our honeymoon getaway in Sea Ranch.  The home was called the Romano.  It was so cool!

This was our view from the deck.  We have loved the ocean from day one.

This was the first meal we prepared together as husband and wife.  Hamburgers, of course.

I know this is corny – but this is the first fire Alan made for us as a married couple.

We took a drive.  This is us taking a pic of ourselves.  It makes me laugh because it looks like we were so serious about holding the camera in the right place…we forgot to smile!

I love this photo because my hands look so young and you can still see the long manicure from the wedding day.  I’m pretty sure I wasn’t going to pick up the crab.  I was just trying to show how big it was next to my “wedding hand.”

Of course, Alan had other ideas for the crab…

Looking out into the future, with hope.

Here are the quotes I promised…

The older the fiddler, the sweeter the tune. — English Proverb

If you want to be happy, be. — Henry David Thorreau

You’ve heard of the three ages of man – youth, age, and “you are looking wonderful.” — Francis Cardinal Spellman

In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. — Albert Camus

Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be…. — Robert Browning

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, ALAN!  I LOVE YOU!

Inviso (Look at)

Inviso is the latin term for “look at.”  It is a newer practice I’ve been sharing at The Journey.  Today, we’ll look at an image and just see if there is anything in it for us from God.

As you look at this image for about a minute or so…

What emotions do you feel?
Are there any symbols that jump out at you?
Is there resistance?
Is there welcoming?

There is no right answer.  Just see if you can find a stirring within.

One Step

The simple truth about making our way on this path of life…

At a Journey Retreat a couple of years ago I was taking a walk, as is my usual practice on the Monday extended time with God day.  I just take my camera and go off at a leisurely pace, knowing that I will be with God.

I made my way over to the dirt road that leads up the hill.  During the previous retreat I had walked that road as well, but didn’t make it very far because I kept stopping to take pictures.  This time I wanted to get further because I wanted to see what was up the road.

I wasn’t very far when I began to feel that familiar feeling of being up higher in altitude.  I get short of breath and it takes little more effort to put one foot in front of the other.  I almost turned around to go back to my room.  But I really wanted to see what was further ahead, so I just put one foot in front of the other.  I had to stop here and there to catch my breath.  Each time I made the choice to keep going, because I really wanted to turn around.  Then the thought came, “You only get to where you haven’t been before by taking one step at a time. “ 

I was struck by how I heard this simple truth in such a simple way…just walking along a path.  I pictured Jesus walking on roads with his disciples, pointing out flowers and telling them that they do not toil or spin and yet they are beautiful.  Jesus taught along the way.  No big road signs, just simple talk for simple people.  Look at the vines…look at the birds…look at the flowers.

What simple invitation is Jesus giving you today?  Linger there…

Still Life – Roly Poly

As I was walking my dog, Lex, this morning I stepped over a couple of roly-polies.  Along with the ladybug, the roly-poly is one of the only bugs I would still pick up and think it was “cute.”  I remember as a child, laying on the ground, watching a roly-poly walk by.  I’d redirect it with my finger, pick it up and watch it curl into a little ball.  I’d swirl it around in my hand, amazed that it turned itself into a ball.

As a child, I had time for this.  I had no agenda.  There were no cell phones, texting, DVRs or answering machines.  I had time, space, leisure.  Of course, you say, you were a kid.  Kids don’t have to-do lists and calendars.  I realize that.  But I still long for a little bit of that spirit to come back to me today.  I don’t have to be busy every single minute of every single day.  Even when I’m not necessarily doing something critical, I feel my mind racing with the to-do’s that aren’t to-done.

I am working on having that same child-like spirit moving inside me, instead of this 21st century woman at the mercy of time-saving devices that seem to eat up more time than they save.  I long for my little-girl carefree ways and slow-mindedness.

As I always say, it is a good thing this is a journey.  We have time to learn, grow and change.  Hopefully, in the future, when I see a roly-poly, I will remember that longing inside of me to slow and enjoy.  And maybe…just maybe…I can come in contact with that little girl, on the ground, swirling a bug in her hand.