“It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.” –Charles Haddon Spurgeon

This quote always makes me aware of the importance of slowing down.

Carl Honoré , author of In Praise of Slowness: How A Worldwide Movement Is Challenging the Cult of Speed writes such a beautiful description of what that really means.

He says, "I think of slow [living] as more of a mindset than anything else. It's quality over quantity. It's doing things with presence, being in the moment. Ultimately, it's about doing everything as well as possible instead of as fast as possible."

Slow living is a lifestyle of stepping back and being more mindful of how you spend your time and asking yourself, “What is really important?”

"We're racing through our lives instead of actually living them," says Honoré.

Personally, I can tell when I’ve hit the wall so to speak. It’s time to take off my shoes, spend some quiet time outside with my dogs. Put away the phone, the laptop, or any other distractions and just enjoy nature.  Listen to the birds and listen to myself breathe. 

Living a fast-paced lifestyle will eventually begin to take a toll; so take some time to pause, reflect and recharge.

“Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson