So yeah, yesterday might have been about slowing down and giving thanks, but today seems sort of like the start of a race that you’re already late for.

Counting down the days until Christmas used to be fun, right? Every day crossed off the calendar meant one less day to wait, but nowadays it’s one less day to get stuff done. We might stuff turkeys on Thanksgiving but we stuff our days starting on Black Friday and thanks-giving can turn into frantic-living. Who has the time to slow down?

And yet, studies show that slowing down actually increases productivity. You get more done when you slow down and work deliberately. Cut the frantic pace and multiply the results.

Sounds almost too good to be true but it’s true nonetheless. And it makes sense.“I have so much to accomplish today that I must meditate for two hours instead of one.” (Mahatma Gandhi)

When you’re fully present in the moment, you bring your full self to whatever you’re doing. When you’re in a rush, worrying about the next ten things that you must get to, your mind is distracted and you’re not able to focus as well – hence, not able to perform as well. Resting – instead of running – might actually be the secret to success.

There’s just a month left before we celebrate the Birth. Thirty days left to plan and prepare, to shop and to wrap, to deck those halls. And we can choose how to do it all.

Fast and frantic, stuffed and over-stuffed, doing too much in too little time.

Or mindfully, gratefully, joyfully. Fully present in the present moment.

Let the count-down begin.

~xo,
LuAnne