Fall for me is all about beginnings ~ as the daughter of an educator ~ my year typically begins in September. It’s a time of beginnings for me. But, the pace is certainly faster than the summer, and this I don’t like. Has the pace of your life changed since summer ended and fall began? I don’t like it because when pace hastens often times our priorities are lost.
I was reminded of this weekend. I knew I needed to slow down and spend some time WITH my priorities but continued to keep the pace of the week going. It was Sunday. I had worked hard during the day and was now doing more chores around the yard. Trying to get it ALL Done! Which of course I knew, you can not do because there will always be more to do. This is when Priorities get lost ~ when pace is increased and we try to do too much. Then, the sign came to me. It was this beautiful doe.
This doe wandered out of the woods and meandered slowly across our driveway. My dogs are amazing. They were with me in the yard as I was working and I told them to stay and they did. They simply looked at this beautiful creature. The doe then stopped and looked at us. It was an incredible moment. My girls sitting still watching her and Her expression seeming to say “Should I stay and play or continue on my way?” It was fascinating. The moment was gone. The doe went back into the woods and the dogs started scampering around again.
I took in what had just happened and I knew without a doubt that I was given a sign. I often ask myself at times like these this simple questions. “If this was meant to be a sign what would it be?” I received the answer very clearly. It was that there was a time for simple meandering, a time to play and a time to work and in doing so life would stay in balance. And, I was delighted that this sign came to me at this time. I was able to put the chores aside and balance the day with what matters to me most: my family.
Have you ever been given a sign to slow down? If you have, what was it and most importantly did you heed it?
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Thank you for this short, but sweet article. If we do not listen to the little messages, the quiet and subtle messages along the way, you may get a stronger sign. I worked many years without a vacation nor did I take much time out of the day for myself. I became very sick and was in Intensive Care and a medically induced coma for many days. I then needed to do physical, occupational and speech therapy for a while. I have about 96% of my physical abilities back. I am so grateful to all those who prayed for me and gave me light and encouragement. I learned to slow down and enjoy my life, nature and loved ones so much more.
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Laura Clark Reply:
September 20th, 2013 at 8:44 am
Pat ~ I’m so glad that your ‘journey’ has brought you back to health! If you’re at 96%, that’s way more than most people have (and they don’t even know it!) Indeed slowing down allows us more joy and ultimately ~ isn’t that what it is about? ~ if we are In Joy, we are living to our fullest potential because we are living by our inner wisdom. You can’t be in joy without it! (My story is very much like your’s about not paying attention to the little signs until you get stuck and a bigger big one comes along!) So glad you and I get it now!!! KEEP SMILING 🙂
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Comment by Pat from Atlanta — September 19, 2013 @ 4:39 pm
Lovely photo. The sign for me was one morning when geese elected to join traffic on a major highway at rush hour. The sign was slow down and we will all get where we should be for the day. For me it became a reminder I heed each time I get in the car headed for the highway or just a simple trip to the store.
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Laura Clark Reply:
September 21st, 2013 at 2:24 pm
Don’t you just love those “Slow Down” Messages?!
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Comment by Cindy — September 21, 2013 @ 10:06 am
Love the photo and the message.
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Comment by Cindy — September 21, 2013 @ 10:07 am
Laura, thank you for another lovely post.
My sign is the hawks that come to rest on the dead tree in the woods behind the house. Lesson: just watch and see…
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Laura Clark Reply:
September 22nd, 2013 at 2:55 pm
Hawks. I love them. They are such visionaries and messenger. It IS great that you listen when you see one! 🙂
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Comment by Lilia Lee — September 22, 2013 @ 12:10 pm
This is wonderful Laura. I am at a point where I really need to slow down – have been very ‘busy’ of late, but really need to slow down now. Thankfully, I have my annual vacation coming up, which will allow me to do just that, so I can just ‘be’.
I loved that story about the doe – definitely a sign!
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Laura Clark Reply:
September 24th, 2013 at 6:53 pm
Glad the story served you. Go on that vacation and In~Joy!!! 🙂
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Comment by Sarada — September 23, 2013 @ 1:12 pm