Laurie starts her day with a cup of coffee

By Laurie Stone

Each morning we open our eyes to a new day. That’s the good news. What’s challenging is another day comes after that … and another … and another. Weeks, months and years go by in a blur until many of us stand at a certain age, scratch our heads, and ask (à la the Talking Heads), “How did I get here?” Here are the things I find that helps when life goes too fast. 

Notice And Enjoy The Parts Of Each Day

When young, I’d race through the morning commute to my corporate job. I’d chug coffee at my desk and couldn’t wait for lunch when I could have fun and talk to friends. Afternoons would be the same, getting through work until I could leave, come home and watch television with my husband Randy. I kept wanting to hurry through big chunks of my day to get to the real, fun bits.

Now older and wiser, I’ve learned to cherish all parts of the cycle — that first cup of coffee, my morning writing ritual, lunch sitting at the kitchen table watching the woodpeckers and chickadees, afternoon reading, cleaning, errands, walking my dog, dinnertime with the family. All ordinary tasks but now cherished.

And yes, I’m able to mold my life more than when I was younger, but it’s still a gift to love each part of your existence. It’s lovely to slow down and savor the small moments.

Do What You Love

I’m not a big “doer” in the sense of staying constantly active. This became most apparent when I took a river cruise a few years ago. Although I loved the daily tours of cathedrals, castles and museums, after a while, I became toured-out. I longed for a day (or two) to just slow down and watch the river. Yes, that’s fun to me. If I mentioned this notion to the crew, wanting to stay back while everyone explored, I sensed they thought I was crazy.

Now I don’t care if it’s weird. Even on days when I know everyone’s sunning at the beach or spending an afternoon at a country fair, I love sitting in my favorite chair and reading. I love watching nature from my window in every season.

When younger, I fought this indoor-loving, introverted side of myself. Now I accept it. I’m doing what I love, not what I think I’m supposed to love.

Get Into Nature Each Day

Every afternoon I walk my dog, Libby. And though it’s hardly the Appalachian Trail, I see how getting out in fresh air is vital, not only physically, but mentally. I’d still do this even if I lived in the city. There’s nothing like looking at the sky or anything green to put everything into perspective. Seasons change as do light and air and as they evolve and transform, so do we. The hard, little shoots of April become the green, juicy leaves of summer. In autumn, they wither and fall gracefully to the ground.

Mother Nature can’t be rushed. She moves at her own pace, within her own cycles, and I find that slow steadiness comforting. There’s a larger, eternal world we sense and tap into when outside.

Let’s face it, the question never ends morning after morning, week after week, month after month … how did I get here?

And yet the answer remains the same: one precious day at a time.

Laurie Stone writes from the woods of Easton, Conn. Her blog, “Musings, Rants &Scribbles,” shares thoughts on growing up, older and (hopefully) wiser. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.