Do Less Today

I often find myself rushing around trying to get more into my day.  Thinking ahead two or three or more steps, maybe even thinking two days ahead, I forget to just stop and smell the roses for a second, abandoning the present moment.

One of the many reasons I love my job as a massage therapist is simply the fact that it affords me an opportunity to slow down.  I can focus on one person at a time, and dedicate an hour or more to just listening to another human being, settle into the quiet music and dim lights of the office, and just be present.  The outside world doesn’t affect me in those moments.

It’s incredible how much stimuli there is to respond to on a daily basis.  There are people to call, devices to check, emails to send, TV to watch, shopping to do, rooms to clean…even though I enjoy doing all of these things, it’s clear that my brain gets overwhelmed by trying to do MORE each day.  Fit more in.  See more people.  Do.  More.

It reminded me of something I read last year: “Let go of the relentless need to get more done.  Intentionally walk more slowly, drive more slowly and don’t rush through your daily tasks or chores.”

There are some powerful words in that quote.  “Let go.” “Relentless.”  “Intention.”  “Don’t rush.”  In other words, take a breath, slow down, focus on one thing at a time.  Move slowly through your day.  Enjoy more of one thing.  Do less.

That’s what I’m going to focus on today, Valentine’s Day.  Being more intentional about slowing down.  Not rushing through tasks or chores, fun or not.  Being present with my family.  Not thinking ahead 40 steps and trying to plan the “perfect” day.  Letting go.

Letting go is a big one, isn’t it?  The other day I read this quote by Ralph Marston, “There’s so much we can let go of without really losing anything.”  Wow.  I’m going to simmer on that one today, too.

Today, won’t you join me in practicing being in this moment?  Don’t worry about what will happen in the next hour, day or week.  Don’t let your technology be your master today.  Try to be that leaf that floats on top of the water, down the lazy river, going with the flow.

Do less today.  Just practice. Notice how your day feels fuller with a few quality experiences instead of more quantity shoved into it.  Take some deep breaths if you start to feel restless.  Everything will happen as it needs to, and in the right time.