Breanne Miller, contributing writer
The other day my husband and I went to eat at a Chinese restaurant. I couldn’t wait to finish my meal and get a fortune cookie. There are surely better desserts, but I am always excited about them.
The fortune in my cookie that day was not much of a fortune, but rather a statement. Still, it resonated with me. It said, “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”
Lately, my life has felt like a constant state of busy, rushing, running late, over-scheduling and feeling behind (which comes with a heaping side of mom guilt). So thinking that nature doesn’t hurry, it doesn’t rush and everything manages to finish in its own time, and in the most beautiful way, stuck with me. I couldn’t help but wonder if all the “rushing” was making me miss out on the beauty of life.
Now, I’m not saying that you should take things out of your life to be “less busy,” but if something doesn’t bring you joy then, yes, kick it to the curb. If your life is full of things you love, keep doing them. But, slow down your mind. Be there in the moment. Try not to worry when you hit all the red lights and you’re running late. Try not to think of the next item on your list when you’re still working on the task at hand. Try to enjoy the time in the car, talking to your kids or listening to your favorite song.
I have noticed that slowing down my mind and being present in each moment helps me feel less busy and helps me to notice the little things. At the end of the day, you will most likely have done everything you HAD to do and tomorrow is new day full of new possibilities.
I encourage you to stop seeing your life as a list of tasks to cross off and focus on the opportunities you have to find more beauty, meaning and purpose in your life.
