In a recent email from an organization I once engaged with, a memory resurfaced—a moment that made me rethink the value of slowing down. It takes me back to a time when my kids were little, and we often escaped to the beauty of Colorado. One particular adventure stands out: renting a houseboat with friends on Lake Powell.
We were so excited to arrive and got busy. After all the work to get situated on the boat and begin our adventure we settled in and got cruising. So much fun with water sports, food and libations and then we settled down. Now what? No phones, no TV, no anything. I recall feeling like oh no we are going to do this for 5 days????
But that evening, as we lay on the roof of the houseboat, gazing at the stars, something clicked. The stars seemed brighter, the sounds of nature clearer, and then a meteor shower lit up the sky. In that moment, I realized the beauty of simply existing, without the need to constantly do.
I felt my whole body relax and recognize how peaceful it was to just be without doing.
I wish I could say that I maintained that appreciation for a longer period, but unfortunately, I didn’t hold onto that feeling for long. It took a traumatic brain injury and underwent the subsequent healing process to make me truly appreciate the art of slowing down. Through the challenges of healing, I learned the power of mindfulness.
So here’s my simple advice: take a moment to pause. Respond instead of reacting. You might be surprised at how much joy it brings to your life. This shift in mindset can ripple through all aspects of your life—work becomes more focused and productive, home life more harmonious, and relationships deeper and more fulfilling. When we learn to embrace balance, we unlock the full potential of every moment. It’s a lesson reminiscent of the wisdom captured in the phrase “Slow is Smooth and Smooth is Fast,” a mantra echoed by Navy SEALs to emphasize the importance of deliberate action and precision in achieving success.
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