Time is everything and so valuable and important to most people I know in almost every life aspect. Time is subconsciously in our minds whether we think about it or not. But recently I’ve been trying out the Art of slowing down and reflecting on the ways it has helped me.
Emails are as or more important to me than normal texts and deserve an instant response. That all changed last week when I didn’t respond to a professional email until 2 weeks later. Throughout that time I was slightly worried that the opportunity would fall if I didn’t respond sooner. Or the Sender would take it negatively. Guess what…after 2 weeks the opportunity was still available. One minuscule adjustment was made but nothing life changing.
Some things in life require more time than others. Like getting to know people well, building a solid relationship, becoming skilled at something, supporting someone you love, making a decision. And I’m sure you can think of many more examples.
I’ll never forget a man I met on holiday telling me “I wake up close to 5am everyday, I can never understand how people rise late in the morning or at midday, you’ve missed most of the morning. I need to start my day right”
I instantly looked within and thought that’s me. At times I value my mornings by waking up extra early and other times I don’t. But when I do utilise my times in the morning by waking up earlier I feel better for it because I have so much more time in my day.
The Art of Slowing down – Time is money
People also equate time to money.
The other day one of my siblings and I was talking about a hot topic making money. They said “My time is valuable so I need to make the most amount of money in the shortest amount of time.” This is smart I thought but then I questioned would we sincerely be giving the other person value and quality time if we were to achieve things in the shortest of durations. As certain things require MORE TIME. In some work settings this is achievable and in others perhaps not.
The Art of Slowing down brings focus to the breath and what you’re currently thinking, doing, feeling, responding, interpreting and absorbing. As well as how you pay attention to experiences or things around you. It can help you analyse situations by weighing up the pros and cons before acting or responding on autopilot. It can help you to appreciate a moment or people more too. Additionally, help you to actively listen.It can give you the ability to use your God given power of free will more wisely. It gives you a chance to show yourself respect, love, patience and consideration.
Ultimately we are responsible for who, how, where when, why we spend our time. After all we won’t get it back.
How have you been slowing down lately? Share some thoughts below or in the ‘Gain clarity and self love each day’ Journal available on Amazon.
Have you got time? In less than 5min read another blog ‘The way to being happy alone’
