Sitting outdoors on the ground, notebooks in hand. Maybe learning. Lots of space around. Can you feel the sweetness?

We live in a fast paced era. And I’m just starting to read a book Hunter recommended (she always has the BEST recommendations). It’s called, aptly, “the Quickening”. And as I dive into it, I notice that the writing feels as if it’s done breathlessly. Each sentence is filled with information, some of which is emotionally packed. There’s a lot to contend with, many people’s personal concerns and a planet dealing with so much..

The author, Elizabeth Rush is Hunter’s generation, parent of a young child. I already love the book. As it charges forward, full steam.

I had only recently put down Tina Davidson’s book: Let Your Heart be Broken. Tina is exactly my age. She writes about composing music. It ebbs and flows as she seeks to understand her life in relation to her art form, which feels very familiar to me. I admit, I had to take time to digest it. Pause. Reiterat as I share it with Lynn, over and over again.

Was it because of this, the pace felt more my pace? I could feel the permission to breathe. Absorb.

I’m not a young person. And if my Lyme is teaching me anything, it’s the blessing of allowing my body to “take a moment”. To give it the softness that time out brings with it. I haven’t been good at that, which is why I’m sensitive to … yes, my favorites: overdoing/ pushing/ bracing.

Except… when I’m creating my art. The embroidery of the girls sitting? It took me a day or two to dye the silk. And many hours in the day to do the embroidery – stitch, pull some out, redo, leave other parts open… considering this and that. It’s slow. Absorbing. Rushing? For my art, it doesn’t serve me.

And therefore, in this time of high pressure, I would love love love to offer to others the solace of a sweet pause. A moment to look at the wide open world of children, as they take their time to find out who they are. And how to be in our sweet world. We can cherish such moments, right?

And..

yes, someone knows very well how to pause.