If you’re always racing to the next moment, what happens to the one you’re in? Slow down and enjoy the moment you’re in and live your life to the fullest. ― Nanette Mathews
Carolyn’s prompts for June included a Blast List, which I struggled with… I was stymied by what to put on this list. Or so I thought… soon the idea of an Un-Blast List was rattling around my brain. As in… releasing the idea of “must do’s” and reimagining a truly slow summer. One not full of things to accomplish, but rather full of something very different.
Finding joy in the slow moments of the day… and intentionally creating more of them.
And so June began and each moment I felt some urgent desire to hurry to get on to the next thing, I stopped and contemplated why? What’s the rush? It was the beginning of a lovely experience… stopping and enjoying the current thing. Purposefully. With intention.
Summer is a finite time… fleeting… all too soon over…and rushing to fill the days with all.the.things. seems so very wrong. Releasing the idea that more is better… and embracing each moment has made for a really wonderful month! (Although, not rushing to fill the days is not as easy as it sounds!)
Slowing down allowed me to sit quietly with my thoughts as well. This, my friends, is never a good thing… except this month it was different and I could not put my finger on what was different until I listened to this…and these words especially struck me… deeply: “…Have patience with all that is unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves”
Yes, slowing down has been very good. The days still feel as if they are racing on, but each day feels more full… memorable… lasting…
I want to thank Carolyn for hosting us as we share our word updates! Be sure to stop this week to see how June was for everyone else!
See you all back here on Wednesday!
I, for one, feel that slowing down is ALWAYS a positive/good option. I’m glad you are learning to do that Kat and enjoying it!! May the summer spill out before you to savor.
Whew. That Rilke line. It has pained me since my early 20s…but 25 years or so later, I’ve shifted from ‘pain’ to ’embrace’. It’s kind of strange, I suppose, but by embracing–or, I guess, by having patience with all that’s unresolved–and there’s so much that CAN’T be resolved!–I’ve found I’m able to let go. Or at least let up. (I think it has something to do with control…or attachment…for me. And while the pain doesn’t necessarily go away, it has dissipated.) This is all a bit messy of a response…but, I suppose, life is messy stuff!
Here’s to a no-rush summer. I love the idea of releasing ‘must.’
woops…sorry. I replied in the wrong spot!!
What a lovely take on Carolyn’s prompt … slowing down and savoring this season (this moment!) is a great lesson. (and oh my, how is it possible that 2021 is almost half over?!)
If there is ANY season to slow down and savor, it’s summer. Good for you for being mindful of your present and not worrying so much about the next thing to do.
Summer does seem a good time to purposefully slow down, savor, and release the must-dos, and you are doing a fine job of that. If we can’t totally release our list of musts, at least we should question why they are on the list and why we are rushing to complete them. Thanks for the On Being link!
Beautifully said.
I think we all have a tendency to try to cram as much as we can into summer because it seems to fleeting, but maybe we would enjoy it more if, like you, we slowed down and just focused on appreciating it. I am trying to do that this week as I take time off — trying to resist the urge to try to do everything I normally can’t do on a weekday!
Wow- loving the questions themselves. I need to chew on that-yes things are zooming by and not totally sure why . . .
Kat, this was a yummy post – thank you for writing it. I’m very behind on On Being, which makes me antsy. That episode sounds lovely.
It is really hard to internalize that more is not better. I think that’s what this whole year boils down to for me… and my brain knows it’s true, but my internal yardstick – that’s always measuring my worth – hasn’t gotten there yet. I’m so happy to know that I’m in good company on this journey – with you!
Like Vera, I think slowing down to savor present moments is always a good thing. On Being has many good thoughtful conversations. Loving the questions – I plan to work on this idea.
Oh, yes! That sounds wonderful, Kat. It’s the most perfect way to celebrate and embrace the summertime. XO