Weekend Reminder: Slow Down & Enjoy the Moment

As I was walking down a side street in the Edgewater neighborhood, I saw this message painted on a driveway. The words "slow down" are painted on the concrete in a bright shade of yellow. I know the message is intended for cars entering this building's parking lot, but in the moment I took it as a universal sign.

Running around, feeling stressed, trying to fit everything into the day ... does that routine sound familiar? Of course it does. We're all doing it. While computers and smart phones were supposed to make our lives easier, it feels like they've done the opposite. We're always connected. We're always stressed. We're always rushing from one thing to the next.

Sometimes I think we all need to slow down a bit. We need to unplug, unwind and understand that things can wait. I've been making a conscious effort to leave my phone on the charger for long periods. I try to stop and appreciate the world around my me. I try to keep my head up and meet the gaze of the people I pass on the street. I try to live.

That's your task for this weekend, dear reader. Slow down a little. Even if it's only for thirty minutes, take a break from the daily grind and give yourself a chance to breathe. All of those stressed and commitments will still be there when you get back. Maybe, just maybe, taking a break from your responsibilities will help you see them in a new light.

And, of course, this message also made me think of Simon & Garfunkel's Feeling Groovy, quite possibly the best message to kick up the cobblestones and enjoy the moment.

Image: Jason Loper