Here is a guest post from Kristin Coates, a resident of West Marin and San Francisco. Kristin is not breathless and self congratulatory in her quest for doing it all, she is simply busy maintaining and growing a life she loves. We are in different places geographically and in our personal lives, but we are very similar in our appreciation for the moment, the adventure and enhancing our awareness while sharing what we see. She was that adorable brave girl that went on an Outward Bound adventure, traveled the world alone, consulted on outpost hotels and pretty much moved fast. Here's her take on a slow moment in Point Reyes, CA. I am so happy she had the shift as we embark on our slow lifestyle journey.
My Slow Inspiration
I am a mother of a 4 year-old boy. I run a successful consulting business. My husband claims I am a social butterfly. I am a perpetual seeker of adventure and beauty. My life is anything but slow, that is until two months ago when I broke my left foot dancing on the white sands in the Florida Keys. The details are not important, but suffice to say, the star filled sky, warm air, and sand between my toes was so intoxicating that I hardly noticed the pain until the next day. I have a “dancer’s break” requiring a minimum of 6 weeks in a boot. It is this event that led me to this site – On Slow Life.
Nearly every Saturday my husband, son, and I go to Point Reyes Station in west Marin County. This weekend family ritual typically involves yoga, hiking, and biking, but on this clear sunny day, I found a rock to sit on while my boys ran about at the historic Giacomini Ranch. After a few minutes of internal pouting that I could not join in the fun, I caught my breath and just observed the wallpaper of life. In the distance was the laughter of my child and husband, and in the forefront were the chirps and clicks of ducks and coots. And there, right beside me, was the sound of “crunch, crunch.” Inches from my right foot was a gopher gnawing on the roots of a native grass. Slowly, slowly, I watched the plant go from 3 feet to 2 feet to barely 6 inches and then the brown, furry gopher popped his head out for a moment. I began laughing out loud – so this is the slow life. Compulsively, I pulled out my phone and Googled “Slow Life” and voila, Wendy Abrams, On Slow Life was at the top of my search. Wendy and I had met over 4 years ago and in the busy-ness of life, lost touch. My broken left foot has led me back to the virtues of the slow life and the magic of the moment and most importantly, reconnecting with a kindred spirit dedicated to creating a purposeful and sweet life.
Comments