Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow – that is patience.

The human lifespan is short. That’s why we’re told to constantly cram as much as we can into each day. We do things that we like think are important, but aren’t really, like ‘having’ to catch that show or ‘having’ to go to the party.

We stuff our schedules with driving instead of walking, microwaving instead of cooking, and never really taking the time to have a moment of silence.

Of course, I’m not saying we should all turn into tortoises. There is a time and a place for everything, but for a lot of people, actually taking time to slow down has been completely forgotten.

Doing things slowly once in a while isn’t being lazy or unproductive. On the contrary, it’s doing things properly and with purpose.

When we slow down, we can take a step back and observe our actions.

We can think before we speak.

We can look at where we are going, instead of charging forward in any direction.

We can actually enjoy living.

simple act

Do one thing today as slowly as you can for a few moments. Notice all of the thoughts that go through you head as you move with focus and intention.

Simple Philosophies is a series of short posts about small things we can do to live a happier life. Please let me know what you think in the comments!

Your work is to discover your work and then, with all your heart, to give yourself to it.
~The Buddha

Looking down into deep waters is scary.

It’s dark and you don’t know what’s down there. There could be sharks, or poisonous jellyfish, or any manner of monsters, waiting to eat you alive.

But you jump in anyway. And it was the best decision you’ve ever made.

That’s how I felt, going to live in Japan, armed with not much more than a suitcase, some basic phrases and a lot of preconceptions.

I had no idea what was going to happen and I was scared out of my wits. What the hell did I sign up for?

Then, after all of the trials and tribulations of living in Japan, I had almost slipped into my comfort zone until I decided to visit Korea. I literally couldn’t speak a word of Korean, but I still experienced some of the greatest moments in my life.

And then I went to Hong Kong and did exactly the same thing.

Being scared of the unknown is natural, but that doesn’t mean that we should submit to it. Life is all about overcoming the challenges that face us, but also the challenges that we seek out to make ourselves better people. To avoid good challenges is to avoid the best that life can offer.

Even if you’re not living in an exotic country or about to jump off a plane, we could all use a bitmore immersion in our everyday lives. We tend to slip into spending too much time on auto-pilot, falling into an unfulfilling routine and not really living life.

In a way, it’s easier to be present when you’re doing something exciting like travelling, than it is when you’re lining up at the supermarket checkout, but both of those situations are equal in terms of our precious time being spent. Nobody knows what will happen to us tomorrow, so let’s not waste even a moment.

simple act

From just washing the dishes to going for a run, whatever you do, just jump in. Dive deep and fully immerse yourself in the moment. Give it your all, plus a big dash determination, enthusiasm or whatever else you have to offer. Do nothing half heartedly.

Life is a miracle, and yet it doesn’t ask for much in return… just that you live it.

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