Take Your Time

"Sometimes I think there are only two instructions we need to follow to develop and deepen our spiritual life: slow down and let go."

- Oriah Mountain Dreamer

You know the song, "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)?" The first lyrics are, "Slow down, you move too fast, You got to make the mornin' last." It's great advice. I hear that song playing in my head whenever I feel like I am speeding along at an increasing pace. And I am glad I do – it helps.

Just this morning I've been considering all the things I need to accomplish (including this blog entry) to be ready by 2:00 PM when I am being picked up to head out of town for a retreat. As the things I want to get done before I go pile up I start to feel like I am not going to get it all done. When I feel like that I then start to berate myself in my inner-monologue for not planning better. Then I feel bad about myself... and my the experiences I have become reflective of that mindset.

Here are my questions...

Who decided that I had to get all this stuff completed before I go? Well... that was me.

Who decided that it was a terrible thing to leave any of it for another time? Well... that was me.

So I am the only one who is going to suffer any consequence for not getting everything complete. And I am only suffering that consequence because I MADE A DECISION TO SUFFER AND IT'S ALL IN MY MIND!

Suffering is not a requirement.

I get to make a different choice.

So my choice today is to head to this retreat with a mindset clear of any ill feeling about myself. I get to slow down and let go.

You know what is truly amazing? In slowing down and letting go I am completing my tasks more efficiently.

Go figure.