Slowing Down When Life Speeds Up

Do you remember Aesop’s fable about the Tortoise and the Hare? In this story, the Hare makes fun of the Tortoise for being slow, so the Tortoise challenges Hare to a race. Tortoise keeps on moving, one foot in front of the other, while Hare lies down to take a nap. In the end, Tortoise wins the race. The moral of the story is that “slow and steady wins the race”.

Are we losing the ability to be “slow and steady”? Are we missing what is going on around us? We tend to wear our busyness as a badge of pride.  I am becoming more and more aware in my own family that our time to relax is becoming less and less. I know that when I slow down, relax, and breathe, I become more focused and able to handle whatever is in front of me. But it usually takes a life implosion before I finally slow down.

The research of Christopher K. Hsee, Adelle X. Yang, and Liangyan Wang shows that being idle can lead to unhappiness, and yet busyness can also be constructive or destructive. Take a look at what is filling your calendar.  Are the activities you are participating in causing your more stress than happiness? Do you find yourself more focused on what is coming next, then settling in to wherever you are or whatever you are doing?  Are you filling your calendar with more and more activities and events to fill a void and help you find joy? Like the Hare, being busy and active can inflate our self worth, but in the long run, being so busy can cause us to lose sight of the goal. Remember that “slow and steady wins the race”.

Here are some ideas to “slowly and steadily” help you become less “crazy busy”(PDF)Links to a PDF document.:

1. Don’t over commit. You can say “No!”
2. Take care of yourself. Eat healthy. Exercise. Sleep.
3. Reach out to your loved ones. Nothing soothes the soul like laughter or a good cry with those who love you.
4. Find the positive. It is not always easy, but focus on what is good and not on what is not.
5. Breathe In. Breathe out. Breathe In, 1-2-3-4. Breath out, 1-2-3-4.
6. Never stop learning. Go on a retreat. Read a book. Ask others how they find balance. Utilize technology. TED talks are a great way to learn more about slowing down.

Socrates said, “Beware of the barrenness of a busy life.” By following in the footsteps of the Hare, you will have the time to witness all of the life around you. By becoming more intentional and prioritizing of the events you participate in, you will be able to let go of the busyness that is standing in the way of your happiness. Embrace your inner Tortoise and smile when you pass the Hare!