Tag: #unrush

A Steady Pace

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There’s a section of my drive home where the view is spectacular. The road sits high, and begins winding it’s way through the Texas Hill-country. It’s not a very long stretch of hill-country, but it’s my favorite part of the drive. The view is distracting which makes keeping my eyes on the road a challenge.

The other day I was driving home, and got to that part of the journey. It’a a five lane highway, but the traffic in the right lane was going unusually slow. The speed limit is 55, and if you drive below 50, it’s hazardous. I pulled into the left lane, and held a steady speed between 55 and 60 mph.

Cops sit on the sidelines waiting for speeders.

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Cruising in the left lane, I noticed a car speeding up on my right. It feels odd to be passed in the left lane, by someone driving in the right. The right lane was designed for slower traffic, but that was not the case that day. They were in a hurry to reach their destination, and completely missed the view.

I’m headed in the right direction of this journey, and there’s no rush. After my 55th birthday, I slowed down somewhat, and it’s quite refreshing actually after spending 30 years in the fast lane. When you slow the pace, there’s more intention in everything you do. I enjoy keeping a steady pace.

Less Is More

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I bought a Papyrus Christmas card to mail to my sister. Inscribing the note was pure joy. The card is a gift within itself.

As I prepared the card to mail, it felt like giving quality over quantity. There was a time I believed more is more, but less is more for me.

To focus on less, but give my best.

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Papyrus wrote a message about the Hummingbird on the card used for protecting the actual card. The inside of the envelope was a surprise. It makes sense that a beautiful card should travel in an exceptional envelope.

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A gold seal embossed with the Hummingbird finished it off. It was the most meaningful card I’ve mailed.

Today, I was reminded by a Christmas card that it’s quality over quantity and my darling….less is more.

Peonies in December

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This particular grocery store has a row of fresh cut flowers on display as soon as you enter. I pause, look and smile. Strolling by the row of buckets, each containing fresh cut bouquets, I stood still and gazed at the last bucket.

There stood our favorite flower.

The Peony.

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This flower is prevalent in summer.

Sitting at the coffee table this morning gazing at the Christmas tree, through a vase full of Peonies. It’s fabulous as cold as it’s been to have a moment like this in December. Unrush my darling. Moments are waiting for attention.

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Peonies in December.

The Fire Pit

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To step outside and smell a fireplace going or a wood pile being burned. It’s a cozy smell this time of year.

In the post, Be at Home it was mentioned our house doesn’t have a fireplace, so I bought an electric one. That’s a wonderful option for inside, but it doesn’t have that real fire smell.

It was time to fix that.

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I had visions of sitting around a fire pit with my daughter. Her boyfriend lives in England, but he’s coming here for Christmas. I could see them sitting there in quiet moments of togetherness. Maybe a neighbor would be taking a walk and stop to get warm. The possibilities are endless.

I walked outside and took the lid off the pit.

My daughter came out and helped build the fire. We grabbed our cups of tea and part of my vision came to fruition. We sat by the fire and solved all the worlds problems. We discussed Christmas presents for her boyfriend and for one another. Some of the time we talked and some we just sat.

It’s important to be able to just sit in each other’s company. To enjoy the moment for what it is.

A neighbor walked over to say ‘hello’ and gave an inquisitive glance at the blazing fire. Maybe it’s odd to build one midday. When it was time for my daughter to get ready for her evening plans, she paused and said, “Today was so nice.”

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It was a moment.

I’m covered in ash and smell like smoke.

Stepping outside to make sure the fire was out in the pit, I smelled that familiar smell. This time my darling, I knew where it originated. The fire was out but the memories were still aflame. They began today around the fire pit.

Savor the Moments

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The best email of the week.

“Barbara…Your Holiday candle is here!”

My daughter laughed as I put this reminder in my calendar. “Only my Mother schedules a candle pickup”, she quipped. Life is not all business. You have to schedule in goodness too.

The lady who sent the email owns a local shoppe and we’ve become friends. She saw me fall in love with the candle last year and when the holidays were over, the candle disappeared.

She promised to get it back in her shoppe this year and said she would email me. She stayed true to her word and in turn, I went to pick it up!

 

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We are only as good as our word.

I’m being careful not to overextend myself this year. To stay present and go with the flow as life unfolds. It’s a matter of slowing the pace and saying, ‘no’ a lot. A fast ‘yes’ is face to face with my daughter, a neighbor, or friend. Connectivity is so important and I’m happy to be still for that.

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It hasn’t been lit yet, but there’s time.

Pumpkins on the front porch and listening to Christmas music as I type. Savor the moments.

There’s No Rush

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The hibiscus in my previous post has another bloom. It was just starting to open, but I wondered how quickly it would bloom, so I snapped this picture to capture the moment.

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Each morning, I take a moment to step out on the front porch to assess my surroundings. They are a reflection of the care given and attention received. Whether that be a garden, or the people living within our realm.

My daughter hit a milestone in adulting.

She rolled the trash and recycling cans back down the driveway to their designated area. I didn’t ask her to. She just knows it’s a part of being an adult, so she did it. They were not sitting behind our vehicles this morning.

I’ve waited a long time for this.

My daughter knew I would be leaving the house early, so she cleared the path. She knows what it’s like to back into them.  🙂

She does so many things within our home without me asking. She has watched and realizes a beautiful life is in the details. I see the details falling into her life. Her bed is usually made long before mine.

I want my daughter to slow down and enjoy this beautiful life. I found myself responding to people this week with, “There’s no rush.” I wanted everyone to stop rushing. I think she’s getting it because I’m beginning to hear her respond to others with, “There’s no rush.”

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There’s something about saying those three words out loud to someone, it bounces back and has a calming effect. There’s no need to say it if I’m not willing to do it as well.

The Hibiscus opened ever so slowly. Even with blooming my darling, there’s no rush.