Slowing down the tempo...

Settling into this new place has a great deal to do with the rhythm and tempo of life here. It goes without saying that Chiang Mai has a much slower tempo than Chicago, because it's simply too hot to move too fast in Thailand! After just a few days here it began to reveal itself to me...I need to slow down and I need to be forgiving to those around me who have already done so. I actually noticed it before we arrived here while waiting to receive my contract from my new school. It took a few months. Or after we arrived here and our landlord showed up 2 hours after she said she was going to come. I also notice it at restaurants when the servers don't come to the table right away to take your order to bring the check.

I have to admit, I have this notion that if you are moving at a slower tempo it could be that you're lazy...unmotivated...uninspired...lacking passion for life...But perhaps it something different, perhaps you're choosing to slow down, breathe, enjoy and allow yourself the pleasure of being present in each moment rather than moving on to the next item on your to do list.

This whole concept of slowing the tempo of life reminds me of a passage I read in "Wheels of Life" by Anodea Judith. This passage is on the 5th chakra or the throat chakra, the energetic location of sound and vibration, where we learn to speak our needs and our truth. We know that all sound vibrations are linked to a rhythm, each rhythm has its own tempo and as a musician who loves rhythm, I find this topic particularly interesting. The rhythms of sound vibration can be broken down and analyzed to the smallest part in the form of the sound wave, but there are overarching rhythms to life as well.

"All vibrations are characterized by rhythm, a repeated, regular pattern of movement through time and space. These rhythmical patterns are deeply ingrained functions of our consciousness. The turning of the seasons, the diurnal rhythms of the day and night, the cycles of the moon, women's menstruation, the movement of the breath, and constant beating of our hearts are a few examples. No living thing escapes these rhythms. Rhythm, like change, is a fundamental aspect of all life and consciousness."

She goes on to say...

"Furthermore, rhythms tend to perpetuate themselves. The person who starts each day from a calm, centered state of mind will find his interactions more calm and centered. On the other hand, the person who drives to work every morning during rush hour and works a high-pressure, fast-paced job is involved with different kinds of vibrations each day. This rhythms affects one down to the cellular level of his or her being, and necessarily affects one's thoughts, actions, and emotions."

So...rather than fight it and cause myself stress & irritation, rather than passing judgement, I'm gonna slow down and enjoy this ride with an open mind. I may even find that eventually I prefer it!