Slow Down Time (Take 2)

So one of my closest friends tuned me into this list of 5 things they hope to slow down their lives this year. I've got to hand it to them, this list is something I desperately need to do more of, and at the same time would/will benefit my wellbeing. That being said the thinking behind it also allows for us to truly realize how cluttered our daily lives have become and that our centers are horribly aligned to not what our Savior wishes.

So without further ado here is the list (along with my version of the point in the parenthesis) and my thoughts on each thing.

1. Go for walks. (Get outside and be in awe of God's creation)

With this task, it urges us to go into God's creation and take time in the peace and beauty that He has created for us to enjoy. That with walking in which you've got to slow yourself down and then you can from there take notice of the surroundings around you like the water in that stream over there, the shades of color emanating from the foliage over yonder, etc etc. 

2. Read offline. (Take time to READ books)

Not only is reading good for you, but there is nothing better than to curl up (or hole oneself up in a room) and read a book. You enter the world of the author and in turn your mind imagines anything and everything. Even more so for this point, when was the last time you allowed yourself to be so engrossed in the Bible? If we can at any given moment thrust our minds into a regular book, why not for the story of all stories?

3. Eat slowly. (Chew 20 times and swallow/ enjoy your meal)

This focuses on the whole slowing down. I myself whiz through meals at times since I may be in a rush or just trying to eat as much as I can in the shortest amount of time (so not good for you). It's time to enjoy the food that the Lord has so graciously provided for us.

4. Be a better listener. (Be a better listener)

Just listen to the ones around you. To the ones who are closest to you. I myself have the hardest time of giving my advice to every and all situations. The whole "well if it was me, I would probably do this" tactic isn't good for every situation. Rather take the time to just sit and listen to the person you're having a conversation with. To be honest, I am really blessed to have friends who are willing to listen to my idiotic spewings and offer their sound advice in all the stupid mistakes I've made all these years. 

5. Schedule time for silence. (Slow down and just sit)

If I can get this down I'll be amazed. To put away everything and be by yourself in total silence (minus white noise around you) that is so difficult in the world we live in today. But frankly thinking of this makes me remember on how the Lord came to Elijah in a still small voice. To hear something like that don't we have to be utterly silent? Perhaps in the silent time of reflection and/or prayer, the Lord will reveal something to us, but even if nothing is revealed, is it not better to have taken the time to just get away and be at peace?

Here is the article on which this post is based on, take a look at it if you'd like and see where that author is coming from. 

It's interesting in how amidst all that we do in our fast paced lives, we've forgotten about the old adage "take the time to smell the roses". Truly, let's take the time to slow ourselves down and in turn reconnect with our loving Creator.