Slow

The new theme is SLOW

Since making the move to Old Ottawa East something quite pleasant has happened. Just about everything in my life has slowed down. Instead of rushing from one thing to the next, I’m taking my time. I don’t know what changed to make it happen, but I’m so happy it did. I’ve realized that most of the things I love in life are slow.

My commute is one of the biggest changes. Instead of driving on the highway to bring my daughter to school, I’m riding my bike along the Rideau River, sharing beautiful experiences with her. We often stop to watch the ducks or see the turtles basking in the sun. It brings me back to my childhood in Martintown, exploring in the Raisin River. I had so many amazing adventures there. I want my children to have the same chance to learn and explore in nature.

Sometimes, when the weather is cold or wet and we take the bus in, I walk back home afterwards. An hour of walking along the river. Amazing. I forgot how much I love it. When I’m walking everything seems to fall into place. Problems I haven’t been able to figure out are solved so easily. The answers seem obvious and I don’t know how I couldn’t see it before. Most people that I see on the paths are happy and often say good morning or nod hello. I missed that so much from life in a small town.

I’m starting to get back into gardening, one of the slowest hobbies. Patiently waiting to see what happens when you plant some seeds. It doesn’t get better than that for me. At our new house there are so many different plants coming up in the gardens. There are many I can’t identify until they bloom. It’s exciting when I figure it out. Dahlias, black eyed susans, perennial geraniums, peonies and, so much more. It’s also something I can share with my Mom, who knows more than anyone I know about gardening, and my sister, who is learning alongside me.

I think one of the reasons I love massage therapy so much is because it fits in the slow theme. Usually a nice slow rhythm with smooth even pressure will get the job done but, sometimes you need to slow down so much that you almost stop. Just hold it and think. Then, the muscles relax, soften and, it feels fantastic for my client and myself.

I hope you all get a chance to take your time and appreciate the awesome things that are happening around you. It’s amazing what it can do for the mind and the body. I’d love to hear about what you do to slow down and how it’s helped you.