At the beginning of a new year, it is not uncommon to make resolutions to improve our lives. Whether choosing to exercise more, eat healthier, or spend less money, many resolutions are abandoned within the first two months. Did you know that the second Friday of January has been referred to as “Quitter’s Day”?
Throughout the year, I often see people who are overwhelmed, exhausted, and frustrated. They are working so hard, but somehow life does not feel meaningful or fulfilling. “Being on a hamster wheel,” “Drinking from the firehose,” or “Drowning” are just some of the images they use to describe their experience.
No doubt life is full of challenges especially if you are raising a family, working full-time, or doing both. We live in a fast-paced society that places great value on productivity and success. We are busy people. What if we made a resolution to slow down? What would it take for us to pause and take a deep breath? I wonder what the benefits would be if we chose to slow down as way to live life more fully?
Sometimes slowing down is not a choice we make. A health condition, a death in the family, inclement weather, or a traffic jam may force us to put on the brakes. At other times, we may choose to slow down and take a vacation. Interestingly, research has shown that Americans take fewer vacation days compared to people in other countries. Even when people are on vacation, they may feel pressure to stay connected at work.
If we made the choice to slow down, it might look like turning off our phones for a period of time, taking time to get out in nature, savoring our morning coffee, or just simply sitting in silence. I imagine we would all be healthier and happier if we created more space for rest and reflection.
As a Christmas gift, my brother received a “No” button. Each time he pushed the button, the message was “No.” In fact, it said “No” in 10 different ways. We all laughed when we heard the emphatic “No.” It is a word that can be difficult to say especially when we have to say “No” to some opportunities that we would really like to do. Yet, part of slowing down is learning to set boundaries and limit what we take on.
In our fast-paced society, slowing down is often met with resistance. Slowing down can bring up uncomfortable feelings. Staying busy during the day can distract people from dealing with some of the hard emotions like grief or sadness. Growing up in a family in which sitting down and relaxing was frowned upon can make some feel guilty if they are not doing something productive all the time. In reality, we would all be more productive if we took more breaks and spent more time in silence.
The Psalmist writes, “Be still and know that I am God.” This verse is found in the context of Psalm 46, which speaks of finding refuge in God especially in times of chaos and struggle. A colleague of mine put it this way: “Be still and know that I am not God.” A certain amount of striving and pursuing may be important and essential to the work we do. At the same time, slowing down and allowing space for rest can renew our recharge our energy for the work before us.
On my wall is a framed Michael Podesta print which reads, “If as Herod, we fill our lives with things and again with things; if we consider ourselves so unimportant that we must fill every moment of our lives with action, when will we have time to make the long slow journey across the desert as did the magi? Or sit and watch the stars as did the shepherds? Or brood over the coming of the child as did Mary: For each one of us there is a desert to travel, a star to discover, and a being within ourselves to bring life.”
When we are too busy, we often lose sight of what is most important in life. It is not easy to let go of the urge to do more, but slowing down allows time to regain clarity in stressful times. With a fresh perspective, we can move forward and proceed mindfully with more intention and energy for the year ahead.