The Importance of Slowing Down

Wendell Berry writes:

“In the stillness of the trees I am at home.”

W.B. Yeats has said:

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.”

Part of our daily non-negotiables is the permission we give ourselves to slow down and enjoy. Perhaps for some that is found in a walk in the forest, or sitting by the water’s edge. It can be found in the shade of a tree, in the quiet turning of a book’s pages. It can be found in the silence of intentional thoughts or the laughter at the dinner table. Perhaps it is found in the first sip of morning coffee, or the comforting sound of evening crickets. We can find it in the soulful faces of our pets, the deeply felt hugs we give to our loved ones, star gazing or cloud watching.

Moments of slowing down can be a part of our daily intentions. They help to focus on the present, they feed our comfort system, they remind us that joy is our birthright. They can help to alleviate sorrow, remind us of our greater goals and intentions, allowing us to connect to our spiritual energy. Seeking out our moments of stillnes grants us our sacred spaces.

Photo credit: https://unsplash.com/@harlimarten