Carrie and Danielle - Latest Comments in Changing Habits: Tips for Slowing Down

Re: Changing Habits: Tips for Slowing Down

Melanie Solbach — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 22:59:52 -0000

My favorite transition time is the morning before getting up to get ready for another day. We, my husband and son 15 month snuggle all up in bed for at least 10 min. My son wakes up beside me either in my arm or upside down besides me. He is in immediate action mode. Points to the window: "Da!" rolls over me to give his dad a snuggle. Then rolling back to me to give his mom a snuggle. Isaac collects his bed buddies throws them on the floor by sticking them through the slats of his crib or or simply throwing them over the railing while my husband and I are cuddling up and wonder what the day brings. I think there is just nothing more wonderful than beginning a day just like this. It sets the note for the day. Melanie Solbach, married and mom of Isaac 15 month and soon #2 in June 2009.

Re: Changing Habits: Tips for Slowing Down

Sarah — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:28:17 -0000

oooh i love this image, thank you Amanda! a powerful example of truly listening, and all that we discover when we let go of the Plan.

Re: Changing Habits: Tips for Slowing Down

Amanda — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:52:26 -0000

A great reminder, thank you Sarah. I love the image of that great horn! A couple of days ago our young daughter was so excited about her grandpa coming to visit that she insisted we wait outside for him. So we ate our dinner in the front yard. What a joyous discovery that was! Even though it was cold and nearly dark, it woke us up from our plan to rush dinner. We ate from one plate and one glass and breathed in the cool night air. Getting out of our thoughtless routine was Bliss!

Re: Changing Habits: Tips for Slowing Down

Sarah — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:26:19 -0000

amazing how hard that pure play can be - the split focus thing can be so seductive.

Re: Changing Habits: Tips for Slowing Down

Rick_Juliusson — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:09:15 -0000

in our new house we have an old school firebell that we ring to announce meals. not quite as Peace-full and soul-soothing as the horn, but it still creates a transition, a clear call to turn off the computer and come fully present to the family meal. I can generally tell how harried a day I'm having by how annoyed or eager i am when the bell sounds - am i ready to put down my task, or still trying to squeeze that final 2 minutes

Re: Changing Habits: Tips for Slowing Down

Carolynn — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:39:05 -0000

Ah, the curse of busy-ness. I'm a single woman, so when I come home I'm greeted at the door by my adoring feline. As soon as I take my shoes off and hang up my coat, he trots over to his pedestal by the window and hops up on it. He's a big boy, so I wrap my arms around him in a bear hug, burying my nose in the fur around his neck and just breath in. He curls his toes and purrs. We spend a few minutes doing this and I find the stresses of the day melt away and I'm reminded, once again, of what's really important. He's my Zen Kitty.

Re: Changing Habits: Tips for Slowing Down

MoJo — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:47:08 -0000

Thank you Sarah, this is a great reminder. Our favourite transition time is the hour after we get home from work, before we start dinner and the evening routine. My husband and I take some time to get down on the floor with our daughter and play around - no split focus, just play...

Re: Changing Habits: Tips for Slowing Down

Jess — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:29:26 -0000

Thanks for this article!
I'm definitely trying to take more time to relax as my schedule gets more hectic. Great tips!