Human Being NOT Human Doing

Lately I have been getting the same image in my head. A front porch with rockers in a s-l-o-w country town. How I would love it if the world shut down everyday at 5! Remember the days when nothing was open on Sunday's? It would only work if everyone did it, right? I can not shut down at 5 because I have to run the teenager to his engagements. Orchestra practice, choir practice, drum lessons. Let's then throw in the doctor appointments and social calendar. Now lets take my own commitments and we already have a nice regularly full agenda.

Growing up my family had a beach house on the Jersey shore. There were two cottages, one on each side of the house. My grandmothers lived in these during the summer. One of my favorite memories is sitting on the porch and having breakfast with my grandmother. We would have fresh fruit, ceral, juice and tea. She was one of the limited examples I had of balance. She knew how to get things done and also knew when to quit. She had no problem sitting and relaxing. I crave this. Spending time with others in such a mellow fashion. We also had people stopping and coming up on the porch to join us. I am not that old and back then people still were able to just stop and be. It seems as though not many can do this today. Maybe it is because I am not at the shore or maybe it is just the way things are now. Either way I want to make it a part of my life this summer. I want my son to know how to slow down and just enjoy the moments. The best moments are those spent with my friends and family. I WANT MORE!

• I am grateful I have these memories to glance back on.
• I am grateful I have the courage to change the things I can.
• This summer I am stopping at 5!