My not a new year’s resolution commitment for 2012
No new year’s resolutions this year. No “one word to capture what I want this year to be about.” I’m committing myself to one thing: s-l-o-w-i-n-g.
S-l-o-w-i-n-g. I think I first learned the term about ten years ago in a chapter by the same name in one of John Ortberg’s books. I’ve always liked the concept and every once in a while I remember it, but these days something magnetic about the idea pulls me into it’s orbit. Maybe that idea of “orbit” and “gravity” is the real issue. The world I so regularly create and commit myself to has such gravitational pull that it holds me in a very close orbit. The closer the orbit, the faster we must move to get around it. Consider this:
Time it takes pluto to orbit the sun: 248 years
Time it takes the earth to orbit the sun: 365 days
Time it takes the moon to orbit the earth: 28 days
Time it takes the International Space Station to orbit the earth: 91 minutes
The closer the orbit the faster we must move. The faster we move the less we see. The less we see the more limited our perspective. The more limited our perspective the shallower our wisdom. The shallower our wisdom the more anemic our life.
I’m slowing. Practically speaking it means I will drive at least 5 miles under the speed limit, especially around town. I will work in focused segments of time, at least 20 minutes in length, doing only one thing. This necessitates not checking email, facebooking, twittering, texting, or answering my phone out of turn. Whenever I have the chance to walk somewhere I will walk. I will “behold” other people when together. I will read one poem a day. I will gaze at artwork every time I am near it. I will put away my iPhone between the hours of 6pm and 6am. I will take my time when I wash dishes or fold clothes or brush my youngest’s teeth. I will keep Sabbath weekly. I’m s-l-o-w-i-n-g.
In his book, The Contemplative Patstor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction, Gene Peterson writes, “It is far more biblical to learn quietness and attentiveness before God than to be overtaken by what John Oman named the twin perils of ministry, ‘flurry and worry.’ For flurry dissipates energy, and worry constipates it.”
If this strikes a chord in you, please join me. I’d love to see your every day practical ideas as to how “slowing” can happen. Jot down your ideas in a comment below.
I’m with you on this and have been thinking about it for a while! Each day I’m going to spend an hour in contemplative prayer, watch the sun rise and marvel that it does. I’m going to keep watching the squirrels in the back yard for their secret wisdom, which also means I will be feeding them. I will run a half marathon just to finish and see if I can cheer on others. I will make time each day for centering prayer and now I think i’m going to have to read that book by Gene Peterson!
Peace Out!
Someone much smarter than me (can’t remember who — it’s a long list) once advised doing no more than 5 important things each day.
Let’s see: time with God, time with family, time with friends, time for me. That’s 4 important things. That leaves only 1 important slot open for anything work related. Yep, that should just about do it.
I think this about sums up many of our desires for 2012… there is such a push to know everything that is going on, all at once, that we end up knowing nothing in any depth whatsoever, great post.
Great Word for the new year! Even in the midst of finishing up school at Asbury, working 40 hours a week at the grocery store & 15-20 at Church, time for God, me, my wife, my son in college & my two teenagers still living at home, HAS to be a priority.
I have to slow down just to have enough time to enjoy the life abundant that I have been blessed with…Blessings are so much harder to count when you’re going too fast to notice them!
thanks for the affirming feedback. this one seems to strike a nerve. now, if only we can do it.
i do welcome your insights as we move ahead– practically speaking– about what slowing looks like, etc.
jd
So true, JD. For me, it’s slowing down enough to make room (thx, Christine Pohl) for God to move. I am living into remembering it is only my call to speak God’s name and then get out of the way to let God move. It’s about holding the space open, not filling up the space with more words or more emotion. Slowing down and holding the space open reminds me this is a vocation, not a profession, a journey not a contest. God bless us every one. Kelli
Thanks Kelli. Good to hear from you.
I find that slowing is also the key to “gentleness.” something about hurry destroys gentleness. Some masters contend that gentleness is itself the foundation of the spiritual life. Interesting.
“20 Least Life Altering Ways to Worship While you Whistle”
http://streetwiseabbey.wordpress.com/2011/10/17/20-least-life-altering-ways-to-worship-while-you-whistle/