“What are the noises that tell you to slow down?” asks Richard Swenson in his book, Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives.
My life is often crammed passed the margins that define its space. Usually when that happens I leak all over the people around me—messy stuff, crudely defined, and not appreciated.
So I’m learning to tune my ear to the noises around me that call me to slow down, take a breath, enjoy the moment, and live.
Here are the 10 noises that tell me to slow down:
- Children giggling unexpectedly
- The front door closing after a long day of work
- Bath water sloshing bubbles under my feet
- Birds singing a morning song as I sip coffee
- My grandson explaining his latest adventure in Korbin-English
- A baby cooing
- The rhythmic ticking of the living room clock
- Hummingbird wings
- Garden gnomes laughing behind my back
- Pandora playing on the back deck with Husband’s voice adding words most people will never hear
Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath (Psalm 39:4, 5 NIV).
Now it’s your turn. How’s your breathing these days? What are the noises that tell you to slow down?
Susan
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The crackling of a fire, the sound of the wind sifting through tree branches, the murmur of rain against the roof, the moan of delight from our dog when we play tug of war with her. The delighted yell of “Grandma!” when my granddaughters see me. The crescendo of the waves and the swelling of voices lifted in worship to Him on Sunday mornings.
Loved this post….I don’t have time to comment very often but keep up the stellar work Susan. It blesses me.
Thanks Lora, your words are appreciated. I could relate so well to your slow down noises. 🙂
Where is the “like” button for Lora’s post! In fact, I loved it, and related to so many of them.
Thanks, Susan.