Much is made of productivity these days.
I think it's overrated.
The emphasis on productivity makes us spin in circles,
Mindlessly getting nowhere like a hamster on a wheel.
If you want to be productive,
Slow down.
You may or may not get fewer things done.
However,
The things you get done will be the things that really matter.
When we slow down,
The mind can see through the fog and make wise decisions.
When you spend your life speeding up the process of getting things done,
Do you think that somehow your life is outside of that?
Do you think you can hurry things and your life isn't also being hurried along?
Look around you.
People watch.
Where are they all going at that insane pace?
Are you one of them?
You know how this all ends,
So what's the big hurry?
Savour every single part of your life,
Even the chores you don't like.
They have much to teach you about yourself.
Today,
Every time you have a chore to do that you dislike,
That you procrastinate on or rush through with manic fury,
Pause in the process.
Watch the mind trying to get you to go as quickly as possible,
So you can be finished with the task.
Don't give in though,
Go even slower.
Try to also get physical contact with something.
This will act as an anchor from which you can watch the mind.
If you are washing dishes,
Mindfully feel the warmth of the dish water glide over your hands and ask yourself,
Is this really so bad?
If you have to walk somewhere,
Watch the tendency to rush.
Try to slow your pace down and watch the mind's reaction.
Feel the contact of the soles of your feet as they meet the ground.
When you get carried off by thoughts,
Stop,
Then start walking again,
Slowly,
Feeling the contact of the soles of your feet with the ground.
If you pass a bench,
Sit on it,
Even if only for a minute,
And drink in the sacred.
When you hear birdsong,
Don't rush through life.
Slow down,
Pause from time to time today.
Is your mind okay with that?
Watch to see if it bullies you,
Forcing you to crack on with the day.
Look inside,
Find out,
When we slow down,
The sacred pours in.
Stop,
Wherever you are,
Right now,
Feel it pour in.
You know how this all ends,
So what's the big hurry?
