I know I'm not alone in feeling like everything is moving faster these days. It isn't just my age (though certainly that helps), but culturally speaking too. We're all so encouraged to run, pushed to think of racing around and 'busy' as a sign of success and achievement. It's a crazy thing. I've long preached the importance of letting go of the things that aren't truly important to us, but that nonetheless take up precious time. There could be so many fillers in our days that fill our time and distract us from the meaningful connections and moments we want.
But oh, then there are all of those things we want to do! That bring us joy! That are important to our family! We're deep in an era of abundance, I'm calling it. I feel like it really kicked in with the first pre-teen, and I don't see it ending now until youngest is out on her own. I don't want to do the math on that - I know it's a while yet. And like I said, it's abundance of the best kind. But when you add in working parents and a farm, it's certainly a lot. I know you know. I find it takes an even stronger practice in mindfulness amidst these days than maybe even in those deep-in-the-trenches early days of parenting that are so all consuming. Or maybe not more, but certainly a different kind of practice.
Yesterday I had the great pleasure of meeting with someone I've greatly admired from afar for many years, for a future Taproot story. A few years my senior, a generous spirit and a brilliant businesswoman (by default, or almost by accident, as I think so many of us are), I watched as she walked thoughtfully and mindfully through what was surely a very busy and full day amidst a week of many to do lists in a year just like others before and after. Yet there was yoga in the morning, and meditation, and thoughtful pauses for mental and physical care in between the heavy hard work of her days. Room for reflection, and room for getting work done, yin and yang, inhale and exhale, all through the day.
I was reminded. I need not run at the pace of everyone around me. With gentleness and presence of mind, I can walk through my days, full though they may be. And self-care, and stopping to appreciate beauty, are essential to it all, and most definitely make more breathing room for the many connections that are possible within my days. The very connections that it is all about anyway.
Before everything else this morning, I will walk outside and admire the peonies (as they are just about to depart, and I wouldn't want to miss them), maybe cut a few to bring inside, and then greet our full day with open arms and heart.
I wish you peace in yours!
