Slowing Down

I just watched a TED talk on slowing down... how ironic that I got this from my boss...

Tonight marks my 31st triple tour since April here at Fat Tire.  And once again, I am almost to the point I was at last year where I just want to cry.  Burn out is here.  It sucks.

Is it worth it?  I'm not sure.  People ask me about living here in Paris all the time... all I can tell them is, I don't live in Paris.  I live in the Fat Tire world.  We work ridiculous hours that no one in France can possibly understand.  How could you?  When you're used to a 35 hour work week, working 13 hours a day 9 days in a row makes no sense whatsoever.  You might as well tell them that you are from a different planet.  Does not compute.  

So, no.  I don't get to practice my French.  No, I don't get to meet many French people.  No, I don't really get to experience life here.  

Don't get me wrong.  Sometimes I do.  Thursday night, I learned all the moves to "Beat It" by the guys that have a Michael Jackson dance-a-thon every night at the Eiffel Tower.  

But... the idea of slowing down has such a magical ring to it.  I find myself walking home listening to Debussy "Claire du Lune."  I want to stop and smell the roses.  Walk in the gardens.  Take a leisurely ride through the countryside.  And on my vacations, I want to be lazy and not feel the pressure to GO and to SEE and to DO.  I want to relax and enjoy.  Have a family meal.  Enjoy a wine and movie night.  Savor life and the relationships I have.

So tonight... since I can't savor anything else... I will sip my glass of wine as I watch TED and try to forget about my hectic life and day.  I'll think about the people I love and miss at home, and the people that I've met and cherish here, and the people that I'll meet and entertain tomorrow.  

And if you will (for me), take a moment to stop what you're doing and breath - no TV, internet, radio... just enjoy the silence and stillness.  Maybe I'll have my own person "On Walden Pond" moment after all.