Slow Dance

I've seen this one before, but I never tire of reading it... it's always nice to be reminded of how much we need to slow down in our daily lives.

Here of late, it just seems that I never have enough time to do the things that I love the most, or to even experience the gifts that God gave me, my passion and talent in drawing, painting and needlework. Things have gotten to a point that life is like a car ride home. We live in an area where we are surrounded by many beautiful trees, gorgeous wooded areas, and I realized one day as I was gazing out the window, the tree-line was a blur, the beauty behind the blurred tree-line took alot of effort for me to focus on, the gorgeous blue sky with the pillows of clouds, the sun shining gloriously on them. An artist's dream...

I wasn't focusing or even attempting to focus on the beauty past the flying trees before me. I have to stop focusing so much on what is right before me and take the time to view the immense beauty surrounding me. I'm guilty, on all counts, I need to slow down in my life, I'm going too fast that everything before me is a blur.

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round?

Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight

Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down

Don't dance so fast

Time is short

The music won't last

Do you run through each day on the fly

When you ask "How are you?" do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed

With the next hundred chores running through your head?

You'd better slow down

Don't dance so fast

Time is short

The music won't last

Ever told your child, We'll do it tomorrow

And in your haste, not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch, Let a good friendship die

'Cause you never had time to call and say "Hi"?

You'd better slow down

Don't dance so fast

Time is short

The music won't last

When you run so fast to get somewhere

You miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,

It is like an unopened gift....

Thrown away...

Life is not a race.

Do take it slower

Hear the music

Before the song is over.

-Author Unknown

Riverside Park in Neenah, Wisconsin:Photographs and Explorations, 2006

My compliments to the photographer of the pictures shared above, Jeff Lindsay. Slow down and take the time to visit his site.