For as long as I can remember, I have lived a fast-paced life. Even my vacations are not a time to slow down—Disney World is one of my favorite places to go! Anyone who has been to see “the mouse” knows that you need a vacation after the vacation. Even during COVID, when some folks really slowed down, I was busier than ever helping businesses get through all the complex realities of constantly-changing rules, guidelines, staffing issues, sick employees and more.

However, this summer I had an opportunity to experience a slow, experience-each-moment trip.

The slow down was prompted by a trip to Montana. We decided to take two dogs with us. It may not seem like a big deal, but 15 hours in the car with an arthritic 16-year old dog that can barely see and needs to go every 1.5-2 hours was a lot. We REALLY had to slow down the drive. I found rest stops I didn’t even know existed! My eyes saw new things. Instead of quickly eating a sandwich in the car, I sat at a picnic table and enjoyed the carefully-prepared meal. I walked Maverick, the golden, at each stop. Imagine my surprise when I put in 10,000 steps spaced out between all the stops. With each stop, I noticed something. I was fully present in the experience. And then it hit me. I had changed my expectations.

How often have our expectations propelled us out of being fully present?

I feel like I need to make a distinction between expectations and expectancy. When we fall into the expectations trap, we are in the “doing” and it also leads to things like disappointment, overwhelm, let down . . .the list could go on and on. When we are in a place of expectancy, we are in a place of being. When we can “be with” life, we are fully present with all that is possible. I also like to frame it as expectation being “the thing” and expectancy being the experience. Imagine what could be possible if we reframed our expectations with expectancy?

Sometimes it takes slowing down to embrace the expectancy. For me, the slowing down was a reminder that whether I’m moving fast or slow, a perspective of expectancy can really serve on so many levels.

I had a few other gifts that came from slowing down:

• New perspective—seeing things from multiple angles because I had time.
• Creativity—New ideas, recreating from programs already here and more!
• Reconnection with family and friends.
• Revisiting the things that really matter.
• FUN—SO MUCH FUN!

What are some areas in your life where slowing down would be beneficial? I invite you to choose one and slow down. Notice the impact.