Slowing Down Part 1

My copy of In Praise of Stillness arrived this week and though I'm just a few pages in, I can tell I'm really going to like it. The stats alone are mind blowing and just reminders of how important it is to slow down. While the numbers of people suffering from health issues due to stress is shocking, it's more eye opening how hard our social lives can be hit.

"Inevitably, a life of hurry can become superficial. When we rush, we skim the surface, and fail to make a connection with the world or other people. As Milan Kundera wrote in his 1996 novella Slowness, 'When things happen too fast, nobody can be certain about anything, about anything at all, not even about himself.' All the things that bind us together and make life worth living - community, family, friendship - thrive on the one thing we never have enough of: time."

 I wouldn't call my striving to slow down a project. I want it to become a way of life. I know I can't magically step into the 1950s (although that would be pretty incredible). I have realistic expectations - except canceling our cable - I haven't convinced Todd that he could go without ESPN. That might be a losing battle!

But we're off to a good start. This weekend we had plans to tackle a lot of yard work, but we never quite got around to it. We were both exhausted and knew it would be totally fine to get to it another weekend. Plus, two of the cutest little guys you will ever meet had other plans for my husband.

So instead of pulling weeds, Todd shared with the boys who live on our street his knowledge of his first love: football. I just love this picture! (click to enlarge)

We're heading back to Missouri for Memorial Day weekend. It will be a weekend full of taking it slow. Todd's parents just sold their home, so we'll be staying with my family. My sister graciously offered us her bedroom and I can't wait to wake up to my dad's homemade biscuits and gravy. We're really looking forward to our trip.

Have a great weekend!