My very first ticket was for speeding. When the police officer asked me, "Do you know why I stopped you?", I stifled my initial desired quippy response and instead said, "No sir". He then advised me I was speeding, about 25 miles over the speed limit. I was shocked since I wasn't in a hurry, I didn't have a very powerful car and had limitations, and most interestingly there weren't any other cars on the road which could have been my visual indicators as I sped passed them.

These three variables are similar to our life's journey and the way we choose to travel at a given pace. Unfortunately, we we aren't regularly watching our speedometer we could find ourselves in a heap of trouble indeed.

Why are you in a hurry? How many times a day are we bombarded with messages or statements beckoning; 'act now', 'don't miss this', 'time waits for no one', 'snooze and you lose', 'action required now', 'fast -track to success', etc. As people buzz, scurry, and whiz around and past us it is very easy to get caught up in their fervor, zeal, passion, and urgency. You find that your inertia is pulled and pushed to keep up with their pace - much like an impatient tailgater behind you, hurrying you along. Check your pulse and look at your speedometer. You are speeding! Trust in the universe - if you are meant to get to a destination, you will get there - even if you are 'late' - but not if you meet your demise due to speeding.

Are you built for high speed? At the time I got the above ticket, I was driving an old Hyundai Sonata which vibrated and jerked anytime I pushed it above 70mph. Its limited horsepower and needed repairs meant that it could only do so much at the time. Similarly, as we journey, we may have limitations to what we can do financially, physically, professionally, or emotionally until we acquire the resources, energy, education, and skills to progress to our next phase of prosperity. An essential character trait for a serious-minded person in growth-mode is humility - recognizing one's limitations. Being patient with the process of development and presenting ourselves for opportunities of introspection and improvement will increase our chances of success to prevent breakdown or ruination when we desire to increase our pace.

If you're riding solo are you self-disciplined? While I was driving on that road it seemed that I was not getting anywhere and I was momentarily uncomfortable with my solitude so I unknowingly increased my speed. On occasion, you may be alone while in pursuit of your goals which may be gratifying to some and frightening to others. While many business strategists wisely caution against operating in a silo and being disconnecting from  essential resources, it is a reality that you will periodically encounter situations that you must face on your own and without consensus, focus group, consultation, peers, or partners. Like a driver alone on a road, self-discipline demands that you are watchful of signage and indication that you are in danger of travelling at a risky pace when you don't always have the advantage of being 'told' right or wrong.

In today's fast-paced world, some consider it lethargy, laziness or unambitious when people opt to pause or slow down. Some unwisely compare their pace to others who have circumstances, abilities, and background vastly different than their own. The course of wisdom is to be focused on your own rhythm, purpose and pace,  check your speedometer and enjoy the journey.

"If you are in a hurry you will never get there." - Chinese Proverb

© 2012 Da-Nel Euwings

If you're like me, you're probably like an eager blossoming tulip once the weather touches 65 degrees and the sun beams warm the earth. You can't wait to soak in the newness of the season, the chirping and buzzing activity in nature, people coming out of hibernation, the colorful fashions, the smells of grills and flowers in the air, the dewy grass between your toes, and extended daylight hours. Yep, it's Spring! Excluding the allergies, it is a generally pleasant time of year rich of possibilities of rebirth, renew, refreshment, reassessment, and reconnection. To make the most of the season and the wonderful possibilities of change, here's a few tips regarding purposeful Spring Cleaning:


Physically

You hold onto that one blue sock for months hoping that the dryer monster will soon make its mate reappear. You ignore the warning signs of hypertension, obesity, abuse, mental illness, and sleep deprivation hoping 'this too will pass'. Your phone or social media contacts consist of numerous 'frenemies', tolerated unknowns, or unended ex-files. You are doing yourself a great disservice if you hold onto people or things that provide no current or future value to you, affects the safety of you, your children or others, consumes energy that is rightly due to another, or dismiss clear evidence that your health is in jeopardy. One African Proverb says, “It is hard to fill a cup that is already full.” Isn't it better that our cups overflow with blessings that enhance our health and creates space in our life for things of greater substance and value, than to have a cup full of things that drain, confuse, devalue, and exhaust us?

Financially

The definition of insanity is doing the same things while expecting different results. When you entered this new year, likely you expressed many hopes, goals, and implemented your plan of attack. As you review your first quarter activities how did you do? Did you adjust for growth, loss, staff changes, funding sources, acquired skilled assistance for complex needs in taxes, marketing, branding, legal, etc? Are you taking steps to live more frugally – removing items/activities that drain your savings goals – while still enjoying occasional inexpensive/free fun? Have you considered the pros and cons of supplementing your income by forming strategic partnerships for contract bids, premium vending opportunities, or freelancing? The best way to maintain sensible financial goals is to understand where you currently are, why you are there, and what you can do about it without delay, delegation, or digression.

Mentally

A cluttered mind is an troubled mind. Clutter is creates frustration, is unhealthy, and stifles a free flow of expression, creativity, healing, energy, and focus. While it is true that we are busier than ever, working multiple jobs, juggling numerous roles, responsible for weightier decisions, faced with more unique challenges, and bombarded with countless offers, deals, requests, demands, and needs from others our minds are our most precious asset and must be protected from being consumed with non-essentials or just plain junk. Make sure that your mind isn't someone else's dumping ground by being selective of what you allow to go into it it.

Yes, it can be fearful beginning anew. Fear is like hard butter, once you start applying pressure through action, it melts!Beginning anew can indeed transform – even save – your life. While it is nice to plant new flower beds, touch up the wall's paint, change the curtains, put on a new outfit, make sure that your Spring Cleaning is done with the purpose of adopting and reinforcing new healthier and smarter habits rather than simply repeating detrimental old detrimental in a beautiful new season!

© 2012 Da-Nel Euwings

Founder, Executive Director, Women Still Standing, Certified Massage Therapist, Owner of Le'Nad Massage & Wellness Services, Author, and TIPS Certified Bartender