"Slow down, you move too fast
You got to make the morning last"
The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy), Paul Simon
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
It's funny, but whenever I think of these lyrics I always replace 'morning' with 'moment.'
This song comes to mind whenever I tell myself I need to slow down.
What are the signs that I need to slow down?
- Feeling overwhelmed like I've got too much going on.
- Feeling tired for no particular reason.
- Not being able to think straight like I'm in a daze.
- Feeling like I'll never be able to catch up with everything.
These feelings are signals.
All feelings are signals.
Feelings let you know what state you're in and how close or how far your thinking is from how things really are.
When you're feeling 'in the zone' or clear and calm you're right there, side by side with how things really are, unencumbered by extraneous thinking.
When you're feeling anxious, for example, there's a lot of thinking going on that's far from how things really are.
Feelings are just a signal, not an instruction.
As your thinking settles, your feelings settle.
Like a snow globe - when allowed to settle, you can see clearly.
I don't always recognize the signals.
But, I'm getting better at it.
And, when I do, slowing down helps me to see and get closer to how things really are.
My thinking slows and calms.
And, I feel better.
"Life, I love you, all is groovy"
The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy), Paul Simon
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group