Day 140: Slowing Down for Kindness
“Slow down everyone. You’re moving too fast. – Jack Johnson
I don’t know about you, but some days I feel like I rush from one thing to the next. The day begins before the sun rises and then it feels like a marathon or a never-ending sprint. I wonder if all the things I pack into one day are really all that necessary. On those sprinting days, which are often, I feel my shoulders tighten, by breath become shallow and my patience running thin. By the end of the day I’m exhausted and not sure when and where the kindness was felt or given. On these days, I must remember to first be compassionate with myself by praising myself for my best effort. Next, I try to do something that feels good, whether that is a swim, a hug from one of my children or a long bath. Lastly, I remind myself that life is a journey, not a race, and if I just slow down, I might be able to feel the kindness.
Learning to slow down for ourselves and for the people in our lives may be the most important and loving gift we can give.
Jennifer Palazzo
Photo Courtesy of FreeImages.com and The Very Kind Kostas Tsirogk
4 Acts of Kindness 