Life at a Slower Pace

by Debra Mae White on June 23, 2011

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This morning I opened the newspaper to the comics. This is not the usual course of action for me to begin my day but a cute one in the corner of the page caught my eye.  In the center of a circle drawn around the image was a turtle. His tiny brown head and feet were peeking out from underneath a motionless green shell. You could almost see the smile on his sweet, gentle face. Two young boys were looking down upon the creature and the eldest was remarking to his baby brother, “Yep! That’s all he does.”

The sight set off a trigger in me. Our culture has convinced us that whatever doesn’t look like it is doing much – isn’t worth much. But wait…with the click of a mouse, the internet enlightened me when it comes to turtles. Those little critters are integral to the ecological balance of the planet. There are whole societies set up to save them!  Turtles play their part on planet earth while simply plodding along.

My new goal is to become like a turtle. Instead of racing around, I want to move in a subtle, sensitive motion.  I want to meander more. Slower movement = Less stress. After plodding along through my daily tasks today, I will give myself permission to tuck my head right back in my shell and go within for some quiet time. When my husband arrives home tonight, I’ll stick out my chin and say “Yep! That’s all I did.”

Who knows if I might be balancing out a storm brewing on the other side of the world?

Savor the moment…

Debra Mae

{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }

Justine July 27, 2011 at 11:06 am

What a startling image for those of us type A’s!
“That’s all he does.”…and yet…he IS, fulfills his destiny, is suppoted by and supports the Universe and brings amazement to us mortals!
Thanks for my very profound thought for today!

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Justine July 27, 2011 at 11:09 am

Thanks for reminding me that we win the race by just ‘Being’!

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Margaret Duarte July 27, 2011 at 11:08 pm

Hi Debra. May I suggest the book “When the Heart Waits,” by Sue Monk Kidd. I think you’ll love it, especially the chapter, “Concentrated Stillness,” where she talks about doing something as irrelevent as watching a spider, the quietness of it, the stillness of it. “Funny how God strews our paths with little webs of grace that pull us into the prayer of waiting,” she says, “into healing and rebirth.” Lovely stuff.

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Debra Mae White July 28, 2011 at 4:21 am

We are on the same page Margaret. I read this book last year and loved it. In fact, I have a quote from Sue Monk Kidd I hope to use to open a chapter in mine. Her story is beautifully written.

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Sarmita July 28, 2011 at 8:58 pm

Congratulations Debra ***
Love the Zen feeling of the three stones.” along with blue and green of nature..so congruent with your topic. LOVE IT..
I too am a fan of Sue Monk Kid- ” Dance of the Dissident Daughter ” being a favorite.
Congratulations again**so gald we shared a class together and are sharing the Texas sky.
I”ll be looking for your book!!!
Smiles, Sarmita

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Debra Mae White July 29, 2011 at 4:11 am

Your comment is so appreciated Sarmita. It feels good to hear the blue green colors and 3 stones (body, mind, spirit) are conveying the sentiment behind my message of rest. Thanks for the smiles!

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Sarmita July 28, 2011 at 9:03 pm

Congratulations Debra ***
Love the Zen feeling of the three stones.” along with blue and green of nature..so congruent with your topic. LOVE IT.. I too am a fan of S.M. KIDD
Congratulations again**so glad we shared a class together and share the Texas sky.
I”ll be looking for your book!!!
Smiles, Sarmita

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Devoni Wardlow August 3, 2011 at 3:32 am

I happen to love green sea turtles, a love that developed after swimming with them in Hawaii in 2004. I bought a ceramic one as a reminder and because of this information attached to it: “The rhythm of their lives is peaceful and calm, perhaps this is the secret of their longevity. In our frantic, fast-paced lifestyle, the Honus (sea turtle) points to a more satisfying way of life.” I’m striving to live “this way of life” myself.

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Debra Mae White August 3, 2011 at 3:54 pm

Swimming with the turtles sounds like the perfect antidote to stress. Thanks for sharing the possible connection between the way of life of the turtle and a long life of serenity.

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