A couple months ago, I was making some tea, and when I opened up the tea bag package, I noticed there was a little quote written on the tag. The quote read, “Nature takes its time, yet everything gets accomplished.” I encounter, and often mostly ignore, quotes like this often; like those old Lululemon bags with inspirational phrases written alongside the pictures. However, this one quote actually had me stopped in my tracks for an embarrassingly long time. I stood there holding the tea bag, realizing how often I rush through my days as if everything is urgent.
As if slowing down means that I am falling behind. I even realized that, while making my tea, I was rushing. I had sped-walked over to the sink to fill the kettle, and I hastily ripped open the tea bag as if I were in some sort of unwrapping race. Sure, I had some “to-do”s to get done that day, but those would have gotten done had I not worked up my nervous system just by grabbing myself a cup of tea – something that probably should be a relaxing activity anyway.
So, I’m taking the message from my tea bag and reminding myself to slow down. Urgency does not equal importance. Slowing down is not falling behind. Like nature, we can take our time and still accomplish. I am learning to give myself permission to savour small moments, move with less haste, and to notice the world around me instead of rushing by it. Pausing does not stop our progress. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is to simply take our time – perhaps with a cup of tea.