Tag Archives: slowing down

Day 20: Summer

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This staycation keeps getting better!  Who says you need to travel far to enjoy summer vacation?  I still want to go away, but not just yet. 


These two sawed pieces of scrap wood and practiced writing with their new wood burning tool, while I worked from home. I had to come see their work and play a little too. This was fun!!  Charlie painted a sign for his room and Juliana did the lettering for him.

Charlie was craving Vietnamese pho for dinner and Christian wanted Korean BBQ. I told my international kids we could cook together instead of going out and save some money. I had them chopping and dicing and we prepared a bit of both, and stopped at the Korean market to buy a few side dishes to go with our homemade meal, that we enjoyed out on our patio. 


The cool thing about this staycation thing is that the days and nights are long!! We are not in a rush and the crazy thing is that when you’re not rushing, time slows down and we seem to have more time to do all the things we wish to do. It’s really ironic what you can learn when you slow down.

What did you enjoy today? How is your summer going and are you enjoying your moment?

Life is good.

Cat Naps

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These two inspired me today. 

I enjoyed seeing them snuggled together, resting and just doing nothing in the middle of the day.

I decided to do the same. I finished doing my chores and then just laid on the couch, relaxing and opening my eyes when someone walked in the room and then stretching a bit and closing my eyes again.

It’s been a very busy week and it felt good to slow down for a bit today. 

Cat naps are good for the soul.

Did you rest today?

Home. Sick.

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 My baby girl is home and is so sick. She fell asleep in the arm chair today and is hardly eating  or drinking a thing.  All that she wants to do is lay down and rest and have me close by.  I wish I could take away her pain.

I took her to the doctor and he said a virus is going around and she has the same symptoms. He advised that she just rest and drink water and to eat small bites if she could, until she begins to feel better. I wish I could make her feel better.

We changed all our plans for the weekend and are staying still until she feels better.  Be well, baby girl.

nAMaste
 

I Said, He Said

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I said you needed 3 people to play Twister. 

He said you only needed 2.  

I said 2 wasn’t possible nor would it be any fun. 

He said 2 was plenty and we could play yoga, since I didn’t get to my class today.

I was then curious.

He was right.

Thank God I listened to him. He made my day.     
   He also got me outside to shoot some baskets instead of cleaning. Man, is he smart. 

I thanked him for making me play today when I thought otherwise. 

He said I was welcome.

I love him. 

He loves me.

Life is so simple.

The Sabbath 

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How did you rest today?

Did you slow down and enjoy a special moment with someone or something you love?

The message for today was not to hurry. I had to think about this one for awhile and wondered what that would look like and feel like to slow down. I always feel like I am in a hurry and juggling several things at once. I want to go, go, go, and don’t want to stop until bed time.

What happens when you don’t hurry?

I decided to practice today, since it was the sabbath, a day of rest.

As we were leaving church today, a gentleman decided he wanted to talk with us. We did not know him, yet his eyes sparkled and he wanted to share his story with us. Since we weren’t in a hurry, we listened. And we listened until everyone around us left. We walked outside and we listened some more. He had a lot to share and was very interesting and friendly. Plus, we weren’t in a hurry and we felt the presence of the moment and just being together in conversation, sharing stories and feeling good.

Juliana and I went shopping after lunch and we took our time. We weren’t in a rush and we were able to find what we were seeking.  I wanted to hurry home and be done, but instead we slowed down. I smiled at people and shared stories. One girl gave me an extra 10% off my order, maybe because I was not in a hurry and was present for a real moment in the check out line with her, asking her personal questions. I was actually enjoying the slower process and talking to people. I saw the workers differently and appreciated their service and hearing their stories too. 

I feel like if we slow down and see people and connect, maybe we can make this world a little less hectic and discover what we have in common and smile and share a laugh.  

Hmm…that’s what happened to me today and I loved it.  How about you? What happens when you slow down?

Fake Break

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We’re on spring break, but we’re not really taking a break, except for a break in our normal routine. This is really hard for me. I want to travel and go, go, go.  I’m not good at slow mo.  I mean I can slow down and appreciate the art of nothingness and doing less and all that good stuff, but it’s really hard for me.  I do like it, don’t get me wrong, but if there were 6 options to choose from, this would be my 6th choice.

I love that the kids are sleeping in and don’t have to rush anywhere. This is really cool. I am enjoying not making lunches and getting out of bed at 6 am, but I naturally wake up early anyway, so this isn’t a huge benefit for me, but definitely for the kids.

I did enjoy getting up and drinking a hot cup of coffee while the house is still and quiet, reading FaceBook updates, looking at magazines and watching the Today show, without any rush. This is cool.

I decided to celebrate spring break by not cooking this week. I’m pretending that we’re at a hotel and we can’t cook. This is making staying at home much more fun! It feels weird to NOT cook, but does make me feel a little less busy and does provide for a break from my normal routine. I told the boys that they were in charge of dinner this week.  I love to cook, but thinking about what to make and pleasing everyone takes work, and we’re on break, remember?  Me too.

Last night, this meant they ordered pizza. Really? I guess they don’t want to cook either.

Tonight, I left out sausages for them to grill and skipped dinner myself as I had to run to a meeting. When I came home, I heated up some left over steak bites and made mini lox bagel bites with capers. I don’t call this cooking, but it was definitely fun.

How do you create a break in your routine? How do you change things up when you can’t do something big? I’d love to hear your ideas. Go ahead. Inspire me.  😉

nAMaste.

Beauty Surrounds Us

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I lived it up today and am happily tired.

I saw beauty everywhere today.

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I saw raw, vulnerable beauty in the pain and struggles of life through the stories shared over brunch this morning.

IMG_6808There are amazingly strong families walking among us.

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I learned that the time for happiness is now. The place to find happiness is right here. And the way to create happiness is to make someone else happy. Brilliant life motto, wouldn’t you say? Thanks Donna for sharing it.

I found beauty in nature and in abandoned buildings.

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I enjoyed the beauty of friendship, sharing time with special girlfriends despite our busy lives. We slowed down for each other and this was a beautiful thing. I am thankful!

Life is good.

Hope you enjoyed a day of rest and feel refreshed and ready to flow into the week ahead. Namaste.

Take it In

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I slowed down today and went outside to eat my favorite homemade salad that contained arugula, beets, goat cheese, toasted pine nuts and balsamic vinegar.  I love these flavors mixed together so much. It tastes like heaven!  I noticed that the flowers in my yard are all starting to bloom and little buds are forming.  What initially called me out there were the little birds singing. ML asked me if I noticed the birds singing recently, which I hadn’t but today, the sliding glass door was open letting in fresh air and I heard their songs.  Instead of eating quickly inside, I slowed down and went outside and took it all in.  It was good.

Afterwards, I continued on with my work and soon picked up kids from school. Later in the day, my sister called and the sunlight was calling my name again. Instead of sitting on the porch, I decided to chat and walk around the block for some exercise and uninterrupted time while I watched the sun begin to fall.  I love this type of lighting and the feeling of it’s warmth on my body.  I picked some snippets of my favorite fragrances along the way and made myself a little bouquet. The jasmine and lavender smell so good and are very calming.  Lavender is my favorite scent, followed by vanilla. What are your favorites? IMG_5571What did you take in today? Did anything slow you down today to help you enjoy the little things?  I know we all have our big things and worries, but don’t forget… we just need to open our eyes to enjoy the little moments like birds chirping or a hug from a child despite it all. It’s all good.

I wish you well. xo

 

 

 

My Rainy Day Sunshine

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It’s been raining here in California and we are so thankful. It poured all day and made us want to stay indoors and enjoy the sounds of the pitter patter on the sky lights.  We need rain and I hope it continues falling all week.

We finally went outside around 2pm to watch Charlie’s basketball game. As we walked up to the gym, we saw this beautiful rainbow. I love rainbows and think they’re so magical. You have to be present to “win.”

After the game, we decided to have a coffee date. But lately we’ve been really into drinking bubble teas.  If you want to know more about what these are, check them out on wikipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubble_tea We can’t get enough of the tapioca pearls and love trying new flavors. We keep visiting the various tea shops around Silicon Valley, trying to find our favorite mix.

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Today Juliana tried a peach tea. Jeff tried a green milk tea and I was in LOVe loVe with my genmai brown rice tea with extra tapioca pearls. The boys chose to go next door for a McFlurry and everyone was happy.

Because of the rain and because of my back pain, we are slowing down and I have to say I am loving the change. Would love for the pinched nerve to disappear, but hanging out together with my family and doing less is actually a beautiful thing.

Love this life. Love the rain. And love my little Miss Sunshine.

Hope you had a good weekend and that you’re rested and ready to move forward into next week.

xo