The Art of the Slow

Well it’s been another crazy roller coaster year in this Pandemic. Hasn’t it!

With the strangeness of border closures, health mandated restrictions, lock downs & isolations again.

I’m sure all of us want to see the end of this CoVid virus with all its variants!

But it seems it’s not finished with the world yet & just keeps on keeping on!

I thought as we head towards a New Year we would reflect upon the valuable lessons of the year that was.

But first let’s get comfy with our cuppa’s & delicious treats.

Now we’re ready let’s chat…

Valuable lessons

I think the greatest lesson that I have learnt in these strangest of times is valuing the precious art of the slow.

Let me explain…

Last year when the Pandemic hit our country, Australia, we had to go into lock down as did many countries around the world.

Having never lived through a pandemic before, this was all rather strange & concerning. 

So as the world pushed pause, hubby & I looked at each other & commented that it wouldn’t be much different to our ‘normal life’.

With both of us in early retirement due to chronic health conditions, our life hasn’t been in the fast lane for some time.

But like many around the world we hunkered down together in our little sanctuary we call home.

After awhile though as the tension ebbed from our lives we realised what a blessing this ‘time out‘ was becoming.

We hadn’t realised the huge expectations, stress & tension we had placed upon ourselves until we were forced to stop.

We also realised that we could either resist this or take the opportunity to learn a new art.

Learning the Art of Slow

The Art of the Slow is quite different to the The Art of Quietness that I wrote about a little while ago.

Although that too is a valuable lesson for such a time as this.

What is the Art of the Slow? You may be asking.

It’s coming into a place of deliberation in mind & spirit to enjoy the precious moments of each day.

That sadly we often are too busy & hurried to even notice let alone enjoy.

As lock down continued many commented…

As I watched & listened to the comments from various people around the globe.

Many were saying how they were enjoying time out from the hustle & bustle.

Many commented that they didn’t want to go back to the crazy busyness & vowed to make changes in their lives.

But life happens

However, when the first lockdown ended last year & people started getting back to some semblance of normality.

Many raced straight back into the hustle & bustle of their old lives, promises of change forgotten.

The comments then changed to, they couldn’t cope with the crazy busyness anymore!

Then Delta hit 

As the Delta variant arrived on our shores this year long lock downs were imposed upon some states.

At first there was a national groan… “not again!”

But then comments of enjoying the Slow life once again started to filter through the media. 

While time in lockdown is not easy, especially for those home schooling children while working from home.

And missing out on important family time & events is extremely painful, as shared in Being Brave in a New World 

None the less, learning the Art of the Slow for many of us has been a rejuvenating & refreshing experience.

What I’ve learnt from this Art 

The greatest gem for me is the new found  wisdom from the Slow.

Especially recognising & reflecting upon how I impose certain high expectations upon myself only causing stress & tension!

I can be my own worse enemy at times! Can you relate to that my friend?

Also finding greater wisdom in recognising the need to really slow down often & see God in the precious moments of my life!

For Life is precious with Him.

“[Wisdom] is a tree of life to those who take hold of her.”

Proverbs 3:18

And finally the wisdom to say my best “Yes” on any given day & that may be to practice the Art of the Slow with my Heavenly Father.

What valuable lesson can you take forward into 2022 from this past year my friend?

I’d love to hear about it.

Until next time,

Jennifer 

You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook

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© 2021 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog All rights reserved. Photo by alleksana on Pexels.com 

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