How to Slow Down in Fast Times

I don’t know about you, but I have a lot on my plate and it keeps getting fuller and fuller. Being a wife, mother, entrepreneur, friend, sister, daughter, etc. brings on a whole laundry list of responsibilities and obligations that need to be fulfilled. I can easily fill my day with tasks and errands that can bring me off course to my optimal destination; the destination of my goals.

Life is also moving so fast these days! Between Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and all the other social networking sites; it’s hard to keep up with anyone personally so we’ve resulted in doing it virtually. When did sending a “tweet” replace a quick call to say hello? But, that is where we are in today’s technological world. I personally love those sites, so please hear me out; it’s the added work and time involved in keeping up with everyone through those sites that keeps all of us too busy to do what we could be doing to bring ourselves closer to the life of our dreams.

So, how do we stay centered and in tune with ourselves while the world is moving so fast around us? It’s not easy, but I think I found a way. It’s as simple as just slowing down to breathe!!

Yoga is a practice of breathing and moving your body to create a peaceful, yet energized self. It’s been practiced for thousands of years and the core to its success is not so much the movement of your body but the breathing and awareness of our thoughts and feelings. When you stop to recognize how you feel in any given situation, you can determine if what you are doing is making you feel tension and stress or peace and joy.

Take for example a walk through the park. There are really two ways to get through the park to your final destination. You can walk briskly thinking about where you are going, what you need to do, what you plan to say and fill your mind with all the “tasks” in your day rather than simply enjoying what is around you. You would walk past the trees and flowers and birds and totally miss their beauty buy focusing only on what “needs” to get done.

Or, you can release your mind as you walk through the park (still on your way to your final destination) but instead you allow yourself to breathe and enjoy your surroundings. You look at all the splendor that God created, feel the breeze against your face and notice the way it makes you feel. By allowing yourself to be “one” with nature your body will release the tension and enable you to relax. It’s through this relaxation that we can enjoy and appreciate all that life has to offer. Nothing about the scenario changed….you still need to walk through the park to get where you’re going, but this change in focus allows you to enjoy your walk rather than totally overlook everything right in front of you that can create a sense of peace and harmony.

The practice of breathing and taking in all that surrounds is not just limited to the outdoors. No matter where you are, at work, on the subway, at home, etc. you can practice the art of awareness and tranquility. Breathe and see how you feel in any given circumstance. Gravitate toward the activities and surroundings that make you feel relaxed and peaceful. Life doesn’t have to be this way but you can create those feelings within yourself; regardless of your circumstances.

Stop and be present in any moment. Take deep breaths and see what is all around you. Take note of how you feel and enjoy this time. Life is so short and we are only here on this Earth for a limited time so enjoy what life has to offer now. Don’t be too busy to miss out on the little things that can create big changes in your life. Don’t be too busy being busy! Stop, take a deep breathe and feel how you feel throughout your day. You will begin to see how life can feel so much more manageable and wonderful when you take the time to notice all that surrounds you.