On doctor’s orders, I recently had to give up my morning walks for a little while. Knowing how rough movement restriction has been for me in the past, I decided to get intentional about the enforced rest. I had been skimping on some of my other morning practices, so meditating longer, journaling more, and sitting outside to watch the birds was kind of a treat. I am thrilled to be walking again, but I’m still experimenting with slowing down.

We’ve gotten so accustomed to speedy internet, fast deliveries, immediate feedback, but what are we actually racing towards? Do we want to be moving so quickly?

It can be kind of radical to just stop sometimes. For example:

To take time making a decision when being rushed to choose now.

To wait until feelings are fully felt before responding.

To hide the phone and wander outside without an agenda.

One morning not long ago, I discovered a fox in the backyard. She put her head down on her paws and curled up like a cat in a little ray of sunshine. I sat by the window and watched her intermittently perk up her ears, then rest back down again. After about fifteen minutes, she heard the sound of an approaching garbage truck and quickly fled.

Relaxed yet alert.

Restful yet responsive.

Like all beings of this earth, the fox is designed for both slowness and action. Aren’t we too?

The culture may be amping up, but that’s OK. As I often say in the women’s circle, you don’t have to match the pace of the music playing. Know your own speed, and move the way you need to move.

With you, with love,
Julia Aziz

PS- In case you missed it before, here’s a little chant to work with if you need some support slowing down. A Singalong for When You’re Feeling Rushed: When the Time Comes

*I couldn’t get a good photo of the fox in my backyard. I am grateful for this similar one by Dominik Rheinheimer from Pixabay.