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Elliot Denniberg's avatar

I took a class for those of us with type a behavior a few years ago. The instructor gave us this rule “when you’re driving, slow down to the posted speed limit and stay in the right hand lane.“

One of my classmates raised his hand and said “how long are we supposed to keep doing this? For the 13 weeks of this class?“

“No,” said the instructor.” It’s a metaphor for slowing down for the rest of your life.“

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Don Akchin's avatar

Good one! And has that helped?

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Elliot Denniberg's avatar

I sometimes forget and revert back to my old “hurry up” behavior. But at 84, what’s the hurry?

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Jody DOSHER's avatar

A nice read. I find my patience has grown as I have fewer responsibilities. When a person at the counter of the coffee stands apologizes that they have to make fresh coffee, I often ask if I look worried. They usually laugh and and I thank them for making fresh coffee. I am amazed at how freeing not worrying about time is at last.

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Don Akchin's avatar

Yes! Isn't it great?

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Charles Rammelkamp's avatar

Feelin’ groovy! I’ve lately been channeling Simon and Garfunkel too - Anna and her son are visiting from Korea - “Me and Emilio down by the schoolyard….”

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Kit Cassingham's avatar

Don, I'm appreciating my slower approach to life, too. Watching the wildlife as I go, viewing the mountains, and seeing the shadows play across the fields and hills makes my drives magical. I resist giving myself tight deadlines because I don't like the feeling I get from them. Deadlines are important, but they have to fit *my* timeline and style.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It feels good to have another meditative human among my friends.

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Don Akchin's avatar

Thanks for including me in your tribe!

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JoEllen Arthur's avatar

Great writing! I've noticed that I bump into things with the passenger side of my car mostly because I'm looking at stuff. #3 son is the fender buffer. He is starting to get irritated. You should see my hub caps.

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Don Akchin's avatar

Maybe we're the ideal customers for self-driving cars.

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

Really great writing. You have a breezy style that I admire.

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Don Akchin's avatar

Thank you, Susie. Coming from a superb stylist, that means a lot.

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Brian Perry's avatar

Good column. Impatiently awaiting your next. Namaste.

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Don Akchin's avatar

The perfect seven-word riposte.

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Kathy Glennon's avatar

Good reminders. An instructor once told us bout meditation when someone mentioned continuing to loose focus…’ that’s why we call it a practice’..we keep trying.

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Don Akchin's avatar

Yes indeed. "Can you tell me how to get to Carnegie Hall?" "Practice practice practice."

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Catherine Lynch& Glenn Collins's avatar

I'll take that as permission to continue to drive the speed limit and irritate my fellow drivers. 🤣

And I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who meditates in the horizontal position. My husband calls it napping. What does he know??

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Don Akchin's avatar

I've heard it called that too, but I think we know better. ;)

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David Shulman's avatar

I too have been driving more slowly and enjoying the environs AND saving gas to boot

I use my easy driving on non-busy roads as a form of meditation as well

I guess that this form of meditation is working as I have not crashed into anything and feel relaxed and refreshed upon arriving home

Having no constant deadlines is truly relaxing in its own right

Thanks for bringing it back into focus…very relaxing 😀

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Don Akchin's avatar

Thanks for confirming I'm not the only one.

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Annette Laing's avatar

Tell me more. I seem to be getting worse at relaxing as I age!

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