The lines from Simon and Garfunkel’s song 59th Street Bridge:

Slow down, you move too fast
You’ve got to make the morning last
Just kickin’ down the cobble stones
Looking for fun and feeling groovy
Ba da-da-da da da, feelin’ groovy

Hello lamppost, what’cha knowin’?
I’ve come to watch your flowers growin’
Ain’tcha got no rhymes for me?
Do-in do do, feelin’ groovy
Ba da-da-da da da, feelin’ groovy

I got no deeds to do, no promises to keep
I’m dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep
Let the morning-time drop all its petals on me
Life I love you, all is groovy
Ba da da da da da da da
Ba da da da da da da da
Ba da da da da da da da

Slowing down in this society is usually met with chagrin. This is a fast-paced, career-driven world and things are moving by quickly. Sometime go back and read the lyrics to “Cats in the Cradle” and realize it does work that way.

We get comfortable with a routine and a schedule. Sometimes we need that to get motivated at the beginning but soon we become a slave to it. Take time to breathe and reflect on your life and experiences that you have been fortunate to have in your daily life.

Society tells us we must know every decision that we are going to make in this life and always have the next three steps planned out. Yes, I will admit, this mindset has been great. I didn’t really have to think about what I was doing next, it was already planned out for me; school, work, school, kids, practices, church, and more of the same steps. . But as each day passes and I inevitably grow closer to “the next chapter” in my life, I find myself taking a step back and wondering why I have to know what I’m doing tomorrow. For heavens sake I am retired and still find myself worrying about what I am going to do today.

I am aware that everyone is a different personality type, and there are people who enjoy being busy. I commend those people. I am not campaigning that everyone stop being productive and twiddle their thumbs for the rest of the life. I am merely suggesting we take a second to look back on experiences and ponder the possibilities of tomorrow.

So, sleep in an hour later, drink an extra cup of tea, read a book, meditate or do whatever it is that you haven’t had time to do because your every move has been planned out. Take that time to remember why it is that you have been working so hard, and then decide what your next move is going to be.

Trust me, you’ll be glad you did.