Learning to Slow Down

As a mom, I like to think I teach my daughters a lot about life. I strive to instill in them qualities like responsibility, honesty, kindness, and integrity. 

I wasn’t prepared for the lesson that my 5-year-old daughter taught me: 

I was all set to exercise. I had decided on the destination – a local greenway and its connecting nature park. Ready to hit the trail at a hardcore pace, I was just about the walk out the front door when I heard a small voice behind me:

“Mommy, can I come with you?”

Realizing that I had an opportunity to share quality time with my daughter, I shifted my frame of mind from “hardcore workout” to “leisurely stroll.” I knew I wouldn’t get my heart rate up as high or my adrenaline pumping quite as much, but these mommy-daughter moments are precious and fleeting, so of course I said yes.

I drove us to the entrance of the greenway, and we started to walk. Even though all the elements were in place to enjoy a lovely outing, my mind quickly wandered to thoughts of time constraints and to-do lists. 

It was frustrating. I knew I should be present, soaking up the moment, but instead I was distracted by the preoccupations of modern living. I looked over at my daughter, who had just stopped to throw rocks into a creek. She carefully sifted through the rocks to choose one that would cause the biggest splash. When she had examined enough rocks and selected the perfect one, she drew back her arm in her best pitcher’s form and threw the rock as far as she could:

Splash! Her face lit up with delight. “Mommy, did you see that?” 

I smiled and clapped for her, observing her simple joy and free spirit. As we kept walking,  I studied my daughter in a different light, as if watching her for the first time. She picked flowers, raced up hills, skipped, played a game of “I Spy,” and stopped several more times to throw rocks. When we arrived at the nature park playground, she invited me to swing with her. 

I had pushed my kids on the swings many times, but I hadn’t actually swung on a playground swing in about 20 years. I pumped my legs, going higher and higher until I reached full speed and height. I was laughing beside my daughter. The breeze felt so good, the air smelled so fresh, and the nature was so beautiful around me. I could scarcely believe how exhilarating it was, how alive I felt – because I was fully present. 

I came away from the entire experience with a new perspective about how to live in the moment:

1. Use your five senses purposefully. What can you see, hear, or touch around you? Choose something and consider it with curiosity, as an infant might do who’s learning about the world around him. What can you smell or taste? If food and beverage are part of your experience, slowly savor the aroma and the taste.

2. Appreciate the people around you and the value they bring to an experience. Set screens and other distractions aside. What are the people around you doing in this moment that enriches the experience? 

3. Focus on one thing at a time. Multitasking is overrated and actually hinders our efficiency and performance.

4.. Find pleasure in simple joys. Technology has distorted our expectations about what constitutes fun. Name a few simple joys you can experience today. 

Moving forward, I realize my life will still have its share of hustle and bustle, but I will make it a priority to practice living in the moment. Life is a gift, and being fully present helps us to make the most of it.