There's something to be said about taking things slow

I've been thinking a lot recently about the joys of taking things slow. I watched a movie the other night about a western man falling in love with a Japanese Geisha. The most sensuous scene was when the Geisha very slowly lifted her hands to her mouth and sipped from a china cup, she closed her eyes and you saw her lips become wet with the tea. Another beautiful scene was set in a bath. The man had his eyes covered by a cloth and the Geisha came up behind him and slowly dipped her hands into the water, and then dripped water over his face and arms, one droplet at a time...In some ways I think we've lost the appreciation for slow touch, slow love, slow tenderness.

My buddhist father has taught me that making time for contemplation is as crucial for your health as exercise. Taking time out to sit and think, to listen to your surroundings, to allow your thoughts to slow, can all be incredibly beneficial and rewarding.

The ability to walk was taken away from my mother seven years ago, and there's now a stillness about her, within herself, that I love, that was never there before. She whizzes around on her wheelchair, sure, but within herself there's a gentle stillness and acceptance that wasn't there before. She has had to learn to slow down, and whilst that is a tragedy there's also joy to be found in that, and a lesson about the human search for peace. Perhaps a peace that can only be grasped once we accept our lack of control.

So if you can, make time to be slow. Allow yourself that luxury and joy.