I took last week off. It felt like I needed to take my own advice. My ‘Wisdom Wednesdays’ post for last week was “Slow down. Do it again”. Words shared by Dave Elitch, a world class drummer and highly regarded instructor from a 2018 Tim Ferriss podcast episode. Dave shared this bit of wisdom that originated from his time teaching. My recollection of his phrasing was “Slow down to go fast.” which is also helpful. I include evidence of my mis-remembering because both sayings are relevant to my current mindset.
The advice I give is the advice I need to hear myself.
By Tuesday of last week, I felt like I had already been through multiple weeks, and there was the additional pressure of the upcoming holiday weekend. Despite all that I know to be true about time, urgency, and importance, I allowed myself to feel like time was scarce and I was already behind. In addition to the usual schedule of life events, I was showing my mom’s rental property with the objective to find tenants by the first of the month, Maisie had to spend the night at the emergency vet hospital, and our holiday plans included meal prep for several items I was determined to make in order to relax and enjoy the weekend. Oh, and I sent out the month’s end newsletter only to realize I misused a word in the subject line of the email.
What a difference a week makes. A fantastic couple moving from the East Coast fell in love with our rental and moved in. Maisie made a full recovery by the next morning. Ultimately, I did make the food I wanted to bring to our friend’s house, and we did get to relax.
This week has not proven to be any less surprising or chaotic. However, I am giving myself permission to slow down. Taking life’s planned and unplanned moments as they come. Focusing on the important, not getting swept up in the illusion of urgency imposed by someone else’s important.
It hasn’t been perfect. I have not been perfect. I became irritated with the insurance claims person. After an hour of giving him what little information I had about my mom’s accident, I was informed that nothing would happen until they could be sure that my mom gave me permission to handle the claim and repair. I became more than irritated with the individual working at the hospital who wanted a quick answer about Medicare billing. What do I know about the byzantine world of hospital billing? The answer is clearly, even less than I thought I knew.
This week has also given me moments of pure, unexpected joy and wonder. Our dove family has hatched two new chicks. The long weekend spent with an old friend served to remind us each of why we have been friends for so long and how much I appreciate her. Listening to live music at sunset. Enjoying an afternoon talking in the Norton Simon garden with a new friend.
Of course, one of the best moments ( I have to admit.) was receiving an email from a long established company with the same incorrectly used word as my newsletter, a bit of a salve to the wound of embarrassment.
And the week is not over.
Slow down. Do it again.
