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.“
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.
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….”
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.
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.
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.
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.“
Good one! And has that helped?
I sometimes forget and revert back to my old “hurry up” behavior. But at 84, what’s the hurry?
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.
Yes! Isn't it great?
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….”
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.
Thanks for including me in your tribe!
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.
Maybe we're the ideal customers for self-driving cars.
Really great writing. You have a breezy style that I admire.
Thank you, Susie. Coming from a superb stylist, that means a lot.
Good column. Impatiently awaiting your next. Namaste.
The perfect seven-word riposte.
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.
Yes indeed. "Can you tell me how to get to Carnegie Hall?" "Practice practice practice."
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??
I've heard it called that too, but I think we know better. ;)
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 😀
Thanks for confirming I'm not the only one.
Tell me more. I seem to be getting worse at relaxing as I age!