Slow Down!

I find in our culture there is always this push to exceed limits, go faster, push forward, and essentially run till you burn out.

Now I am definitely not opposed with pushing yourself, giving 100%, and exceeding limits....

Got Gold at my first jiu jitsu competition last weekend. Ian and Sheri (Who I met in Africa) came to watch! They are such an awesome couple, so happy to have met them!

But sometimes we need to SLOW down!

And this is more a post for me then anyone else! I don't like to slow down! I have so much energy, I love exploring, experiencing new things, being successful, pouring my whole self into something. Non of this is bad, but I definitely over due it sometimes, and as I lay in bed my lungs filling with mucous, and my head heavy from clogged airways for almost a week now, I am beginning to realize that maybe I would recover quicker from ailments if I gave myself some time to recover.

I made a decision this weekend to give up doing something that I would normally not do! Two things actually! Ask for a day off of work, and give up showing Denver on the weekend.

I don't like taking days off work short notice, because I do love my job, I commit my time to it, and I want to be reliable. However, I always tell my co-workers they should take the day off when they are sick, so I decided to do what I advise and allow myself to heal.

Giving up the horse show was a little harder, I won't lie. I love competing and I feel like Denver and I really had a shot at doing well. I remembered the fable of a man though, who ran all day around this large section of land to claim it as his own. He covered many miles by the end of the day, but when he crossed the finish line he collapsed and died due to his greed for more land then he probably needed. In healthy circumstances would pushing myself to do well in the show and bring home ribbons matter? No, it would be good for character. However, being sick as I am and pushing myself would only be for my desire to hang a few more ribbons up on the wall. It would not be fair to Denver either, placing ourselves in that situation, and there will be other horse shows.

This is kind of a funny post to make before I begin National Novel Writing Month where I will literally put every spare minute of my day into finishing a 50,000 word novel in a month. It was a super rewarding challenge last year though and I want to do it again. Last year I wrote a novel called Witness about the end times and witnesses mentioned in the book of Revelations (Bible). This year I am devoting the challenge to complete a memoir about my Trip tp Africa! Here is a little sneak peak!

Synopsis

Memoir about my three month trip to Uganda. Twenty years of age, minimal traveling experience, and first time in an undeveloped country. A journey of discovering, unexpected adventures, making dreams come true, battling disease, and love.  

Excerpt

I want to take you on a journey across the seas to reddish soil, dark skin, affectious smiles, lizards, laughter, dance, and song! To a land with corruption deep in its core, where bloated chests heave, where dark powers reside, and blood is not uncommonly seen. 

Where I only shed tears once, where I was happy, anxious, excited all at once. Where my heart got captured and torn apart. The land deep in my dream land that I saved up to see, the dreams of the people I grew to know, and who became family. 

So enjoy the ride from car crash, sickness, laughter, dance, song; parched lips, deadly liquids, witch craft, spirituality, love, heart, and running from harm. 

So even if you are busy and challenge yourself relentlessly as I often do, take half a day off sometimes, do something you enjoy, make sure you sleep. Pause an activity and never feel bad taking time to admire beautiful things!