WFMW: Visual Cues to Slow Down

My life, like so many others, moves too fast. I over commit. I don’t manage my time well. I am always running in roughly five different directions at the same time. I act like I can do everything, though I secretly feel like I am not doing anything very well.

Because I allow my life to get so out of control, I have some things scattered around my house in the hopes of them being a calming force. In addition to a smattering of pictures of Jesus and Mary around the house, I have two things with words that are meant to make me stop and think.

One of these is a “sign” on my desk. It is a black wooden platform that is about 12 inches long and about 2 inches wide. Sitting on it are about 2″ tall black wooden letters that are a simple reminder — SIMPLIFY. Not only does this look great on my new black desk, but, more importantly, it reminds me, quietly, of what I need to do in a place where I often don’t do that.

My other visual cue is a decorative plate that I have hanging on my kitchen wall. (This is, of course, another spot in the house where things can get crazy.) It is a plate that I bought and then decorated with the following quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson — “Let us be silent that we may hear the whisper of God.” When things get away from me or I have been rushing around too much, I can turn and look at that plate. When I do, I try to really read it. I take a deep breath, and close my eyes. I pray that God will help me to hear Him, and to slow down.

Now…if I could just post reminders around the house in all the spots where we typically race around like maniacs before school, then I just might be set.

For great tips on just about everything (or so it seems), check out Works for Me Wednesday at Rocks in My Dryer.