Fast Times
My daughter in law, Melissa, nicknamed my side of the family Fast Forward Foxes. She calls us out because we’re already planning the next thing while we’re smack in the middle of doing the present thing.?
While not necessarily bad, let’s look a little more closely at the cost. Rushing to plan or just rushing, takes us out of the moment. It doesn’t allow what’s here now to develop into what it could be and puts us in the future tense instead of the present flow.
Slowing it down helps us be more aware, and we just might see opportunities to connect, or be creative that we’ve overlooked.?
In pickleball, (oh no, not, another pickleball analogy!) slowing the action down by hitting low and softly helps to finesse ball placement and even enjoy the other players more. The slow, soft back and forth dinking creates a communal rhythmic flow until someone smashes the heck out of the ball. Ha!
When we’re with students, slowing down seems like a luxury with so many constant, pressing demands. Yet it is in the slowing down where all the relationship magic happens. The rewards of taking the time to listen, to really see each child, bring a decrease in loneliness, an increase in emotional and social skills, and higher academic performance.
During this holiday season, what’s one thing you can do to slow things down just a little bit to participate more fully in these precious moments of your life?
Facilitator l Speaker l Author dedicated to improving workplace engagement. Founder, Quality Service Marketing. Certified facilitator, LEGO? SERIOUS PLAY?
2 年I agree, Robin, that "it is in the slowing down where all the relationship magic happens." And that magic is not the only benefit according to another wise woman: "For fast acting relief, try slowing down."- Lily Tomlin
Extending Invitations to Experience and Engage with Who and What Matters to You
2 年I like planning but try to do my planning in the present moment so that I know I am planning when I am planning and have not vacated the present. To slow way down this Christmas I am doing 2 volunteer shifts a week at the Memory Tree in our local mall. It is done by Palliative Manitoba and people come by and for no cost or a donation they can write a card to someone they lost and hang it on this 30 foot tree. It really slows you down being so close to people who are reflecting and honouring death and loss. As the days pass the cards are moved higher up the tree and then when the tree comes down all the cards are gathered for a light the memories ceremony in February.
Resilient Leadership. Accelerated Career Growth.
2 年Robin Fox, so much good stuff here. Yay for Melissa, who not only has a gift of language but with good humor calls you guys out...! But yay for you, for noticing, bringing presence, catching yourself and making the kind of correction that benefits you--and everyone.