Days 44-48 – The Wisdom of Slow – Journal of Sacred Work

I started down the sidewalk at my usual fast pace. My daughter & her daughter did not. Two at the time, Sonia stopped to look at flowers, touch tree bark, squat down to inspect bugs.

My daughter's wisdom let her do it. Why rush a two-year old for whom every crack in the sidewalk is a discovery?

Why are we in such a hurry? It is my mantra. Sacred experience requires slow looking. We knew that once. Some still do.

What gourmet wolfs down food? What art lover rushes through a museum? Would a classical pianist play an adagio fast? Would a rose lover just take a sniff? What do the blind teach us about touch?

Great parents, healing caregivers & loving leaders understand the wisdom of slow. But they call it honoring life by paying attention.

To rediscover the "ordinary" I have revisited mixing color with black & white. I look forward to showing these pictures to someone who knows the wisdom of slow. My other granddaughter is now two.

-Erie Chapman

Photographs recreated 2017 by Erie

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Categories: Reflections, Holidays, Spirituality

Tags: caregivers, Erie Chapman, Facebook

6 responses to “Days 44-48 – The Wisdom of Slow”

Terry Chapman

February 13, 2017 at 4:59 am

This message is so very important all through our often unnecessarily busy, frenetic lives!
Once, when I directed VA volunteer programs, aged 31, at Castle Point hospital, in New York, overlooking the majestic Hudson River, I was headed to a patient’s room, taking the stairs up, two at a time. As I passed a well known staff MD, headed down, he smiled and said, “Terry, slow down! You have your whole career ahead of you!”
I paused as he left me; and continued on, reflecting on what had just happened. The doctor was quite right: There would be many, many patients to see; many students to teach and advise; and enough adventures ahead of me to fill two lifetimes. Slow Down and you’ll get there better able to truly help and digest the experiences.

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Julie

February 13, 2017 at 9:18 am

What a wonderful reminder of slow, and the benefits it provides to the soul, thank you!

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~liz Wessel

February 13, 2017 at 9:20 am

I love these two photos, Erie. The first image catapults me seemingly back in time, at least is has that nostalgic feel about it. My eyes are drawn to the large billowy clouds and how they are marvelously reflected back with a blue sky in the car’s hood. There is a surreal sense to the scene.
The flowers are an exquisite gift when spending time with them, the lacy feel that reminds me of a rich fabric feel, so sensual, feminine and the illumination of Light, ethereal.
…and yes, ” honoring life by paying attention.” Thank you, Erie.

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Lynn

February 13, 2017 at 9:39 am

This essay has brought me to tears. My heart is reminded of just how precious each moment truly is. Thank you for sharing.

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Todd Meador

February 13, 2017 at 12:32 pm

It is interesting how challenging it is to go back to our youthful roots of “slow looking”. We are taught and encouraged in life to get more done in less time. To be more efficient. But sometimes we do not get more done in less time. We get less done in less time and more done in more time.
Regardless, it is almost impossible to be in a state of gratitude or admire real beauty when we are speeding by only seeing what we want to see. We are not open to take in the beauty that is all around us or learn the lessons we are meant to learn because they are hidden in the crack of the sidewalk or under a rock.
Your posts always encourage me to slow down and read. And think. And put together a string of thoughts that were inspired by your imagery, words, and wisdom. Slow down Todd. Slow down.

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Dulcie Witman

February 14, 2017 at 8:50 am

Yum. This just strolled right into my body. My eyes, my lungs, my neck. I’m going to walk slower today, breath with intention. Look around. Thank you, Erie.

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