A few weeks ago I was taking my littles for a walk in the stroller, when the thought crossed my mind, “Why not kick up the pace and get some exercise while you're at it?”
So I did. I started running in hopes to get my heart rate up a bit. Within seconds, my daughter said “No mommy! Don't run! Go slow mommy.”
So I did. And then, when I thought she didn't care anymore, I kicked up my pace again. Immediately she protested “Slow down mommy! Don't go fast!”
Although she was referring to my physical speed, I took things a little more deeply and pondered my little life on our walk home.
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Why do I as an adult try to do so many things at the same time?!
Sometimes I think children have more to teach us than we do them. I was too occupied with multitasking and doing as much as I could in that moment, that I was totally missing out on our experience. My daughter however, was completely satisfied with the beauty of the outdoors; waving to the cars that drove past, giggling with her sister, and eagerly watching for any and every dog in the neighborhood. She was discouraged by my attempt to rush her experience.
As we walked home, I started pondering other areas of life that I had been rushing. Times that maybe my children have quietly yearned “Slow down mommy.”
Some of these times may have been a preoccupied moment with my “smart” phone: checking an email, depositing a check, or reading an article someone posted on Facebook (anyone else feel that smart phones do a little too much?).
Other times may have been those moments when I respond to my daughter's rambling a with an “uh-huh,” without really listening.
Lately I've been trying to pay more attention when my daughter is talking to me. I've noticed that she's really funny. She makes me laugh all the time. And the more I notice, the more I don't want to miss out on her current stage that is so cute.
Today I wasn't feeling well; I had a headache and my teeth were hurting. Upon noticing, my almost 3-year old immediately came over to offer me comfort. She looked over at me and didn't hesitate. She patted my back and asked if I was okay and then proceeded to talk to me until she had me laughing. She is so good at knowing exactly what I need. Even though I felt like a grumpy mean mom today, she didn't hold any of that against me, and she didn't hold back on her love.  Even though she had been preoccupied, she didn't wait until she was finished playing with her toys, she came to me the moment she saw a need. At family prayer she prayed for me at least 3 times. How are children so instantly forgiving and full of unconditional love?
I want to be like her.
I guess the reason for this post is because I'm going against the current for a little while. Some of you may have noticed that I haven't posted a much recently. Part of this is because I'm trying to find balance. I want to continue doing what I love without going so fast that I miss the scenery in life. I've also been posting less because I'm trying to decide what I want my blog to be. I wrote more personal stuff when I first started my blog, but I stopped because it wasn't what brought the “traffic.” It wasn't what was being pinned on Pinterest.
But I want to bring a little bit of it back. I want to share the fun stuff AND the meaningful stuff. I want to share some of the scenery from my life.
The things that get the most pins on Pinterest aren't always what the world needs more of.
I read an article on the news the other day that said the world as a whole is becoming more pessimistic.
Our world needs more goodness. It needs more gratitude. And it certainly needs a lot more love.
So, have patience with me as I occasionally share more moments from my personal life that inspire me. Hopefully you'll pass it on and together we can spread goodness.
And if I go an occasional week without blogging at all, it's ok.
I'm just taking time to “go slow.”
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Kirtley Freckleton @ The Gist of Fit says
Love this!!!!
Miranda says
I just found this blog and I’ve been reading some of the articles. I don’t have kids of my own, but I think all of us could use someone saying, “slow down” every once in a while. We rush through everything, our minds on our “to-do” lists and it’s so easy to forget to just be in the moment. We don’t need to be occupied or productive 100% of the time. Just relax and slow down. Thanks for sharing
Lee says
I really liked this. Life is way too crowded. Nice to enjoy the fall leaves or a sunset or flowers and simple conversations with family.
Jules says
Love!!! I am a mommy of 4 & one on the way, and it gets so hard to slow down. I know my children wish i would sometimes. I think when we rush, and miss the little things in life, we force them to rush, and they miss it too. Thanks for this, i will be praying for wisdom on how and where i need to slow down!!! God bless
Lindsey says
I always feel like I don’t have enough time in a day to clean, cook, straighten up the house, do laundry, take care of the guinea pig.. Hehe and I don’t know what else. When I finally get a chance to relax, I don’t. I look for the next task to accomplish.. Today I read this post and I realize I may or may not have a mother day here to enjoy my son and husband. I should do that and forget about the dirty dish in the sink for one night.
Thanks for the post, This was last year, I hope you’re still taking things slow 🙂