Saturday, September 24, 2011

life lesson from a treadmill

As I reached the 45 minute mark on the revolving torture belt otherwise known as the treadmill, I glimpsed down at the control board to adjust my settings in order to prepare for my cool down.

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For the 1st time, I stared at the words and matching illustrations and listened as they spoke to me with 2 simple words.

"Ascent"

"Speed"

I thought to myself, "Isn't that what my life is all about?"

For I am on the endless treadmill of life. I'm one of those girls who is always climbing up to the next height. I can't stay for a bit and enjoy the view from the plateau. I'm not one to embrace the pauses in life. The thought of stopping the ascent frightens me a bit....a lot.

I'm not much better in the speed department either. I am in constant speed mode. The faster the better. Time is not my friend when it is slow. It makes me uncomfortable. I am anxiously planning one day from the next. I am always looking how we can get to the next phase the fastest way possible. And yet when we get to the next phase, I sit in discontent that I didn't enjoy the previous phase more and soak in the moments with greater intention.

I swore I'd never race through life again after we struggled through the hub's cancer diagnosis. But, here we are back on the treadmill of life.

As I stared at the simple stick figures illustrating incline and speed, I could envision drawing on some hair, gym clothes, a handbag, and a i-phone in hand.

Instead of Nameless Stick Figure, it would be Me.

The girl climbing despite being exhausted. The mama cruising too quickly even though her heart desires to slow down and take it all in.

As my feet slowly found a new rhythm while I cooled down, I stared at the bold red button which shouted to me in a way it never has before.

STOP.

I need that stop button in my life. I need to get off the incline and ignore the speed which I so easily fall prey to.

And so this weekend, I will stop.

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I will watch with less distraction.

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I will listen with greater purpose.

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I will be present and truly find pleasure in the here and now.

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I will appreciate the simple instead of being absorbed in the complicated.

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I will belly laugh often.

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And I will learn. I am reading this book for Luke.

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He has Asperger's Syndrome. I am trying to understand his world instead of trying to force him to understand my world. I'm learning that his world isn't wrong. It is just different.

I like different.

Just when I think there's something he'll never do, like play a spontaneous game of soccer with his younger brother, he pulls out his bag of tricks.

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I hope you enjoyed your weekend, friends. Did you make it a good one and create some memories?

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Much love,
Katie

Linking up here with Jami.

21 comments:

Susan said...

Look at you posting such an AMAZING post on Saturday nonetheless!
Slowing down is the single hardest thing for me to do. I have started as you know...and I will continue to.
Thanks for the inspiration.

Mary and Dyer said...

This is such a great, great post. Thanks for sharing and inspiring all of us moms to take a deep breath and enjoy our lives! Even God rested on the 7th day ;)

Blessings,
Kat
www.maryanddyer.blogspot.com

Karen said...

Pull that string on the red button Katie, pull it quick!! I did and even though I still have my moments of not living in the NOW, I have realized it's the ONLY place to be. I'm not happy anywhere else. Much love!! Great pictures!!

Rachael said...

You are an excellent writer. I am sure 95% or more of the population including me struggles with being content in the now. Thank you for expressing it so eloquently and reminding me to enjoy the moment.

Betsi* said...

I have that book (and every other one on Aspergers!). Here's to slowing down. I'm trying to decrease my speed as well, right now. To enjoy these last days (or minutes...please?) of pregnancy before I become the mother of four. But it is hard. Because even with so much to enjoy in life, we still long for heaven and I think our souls can't truly rest until we're face to face with our Jesus. But we must cultivate in ourselves quiet and patient hearts that find joy in our Savior, despite the imperfection and weariness of this world.
Now, can I get this baby out please? ;)

missmehoneybee said...

This is so great. Thanks!

Heather @ Finding Beauty in the Ordinary said...

This is beautiful. Such good truth. I've been convicted of this lately. Thanks for the reminder! xoxoxoxo

Flor said...

Oh, girl, I hear ya! I'm either on auto mode or on super fast mode all the time.. and both are not good. I miss so much.. it seems that when I finally decide to give up a commitment I seem to take some other project on. I need to work on that :( Your post reminded me of that, thank you.

Janna said...

Katie, I think this is my most favorite post ever :) Thank you...I needed that!

Marina said...

Your weekend definitely looks good.. You stopped and enjoyed it.. Wasn't that nice? ;)

Michele said...

Today is a day we are taking a break from all of the other chaos and sadness to live in the moment. It's been a stressful and emotional weekend with my grandpa's funeral. Today I'm taking some much needed time to spend with my boys. It's during difficult times like this that I stop and see life differently. Your words were a comfort.

Heather @ we.are.the.holdens said...

I love you Katie. So inspiring & encouraging. :)

ashley marie wilson said...

lol! i had the same thought last week at the gym, so glad you wrote about it :)

Krystle said...

love your pics! thanks for stopping by my blog!!!

The Olive Tree Blog said...

a great post and wonderful reminder! Just what i needed to hear!!

Kari said...

I go back and forth between the mom you are describing and the lazy mom. I haven't been able to find a happy medium that helps me stick with what I can do in my days. I'm working on it though. Thank you for your post. I will have to keep that picture in mind as I start out this week in the crazy mom mode.

Kristy said...

Omg!! You totally spoke to my heart with this post!! I struggle with this SO BAD!! I might just print this out and hang it on my mirror...lol!!
xoxo

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post. I love your writing style, too. I am also a mama who goes too fast sometimes. This is a great reminder to s-l-o-w down and savor the moments we have with our family.

PS: LOVE the wedgie pic!! haha!

Laurie J said...

great stuff, katie. amen for 2nd cups of coffee!! <3 <3 <3

Carina Schoen said...

So glad I found you through Jami's link up - this is something I needed today. We are always so worried about being productive, how much we did or didn't accomplish in one day - we forget to soak up the goodness all around us. Thanks for the reminder.

angie on maui said...

What a BEAUTIFUL metaphor for how many of us live our lives. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself on this blog. I think your story and your Hubs' diagnosis is such a great reminder to anyone reading that life is so precious and sometimes, we need to just stop fretting about the other "stuff" - it will always be there - and focus on what's important: our families/friends and people we love.

Thanks for the reminder. xoxo