SLOW DOWN

In 1993 I was traveling from North Dakota back to Oregon.  I had traveled Hwy 90 time and time again and was bored with the trip so I decided to venture off road through the hills of Montana and experience the Rocky Mountains.  No GPS to guide me, only the sun to follow which was heading west! 

I was in my little white Honda CRX that could cruise and take corners at higher speeds than I should dare try.  Yes, I did feel like Mario Andretti hugging corners and building ab muscles with each and every turn.  Up and over the hills I went taking each curve with a bit of adrenaline.  The yellow signs that thrilled me which said “Curves Ahead” was more than enough to keep my pulse racing and my eyes wide open as the fresh mountain air poured in and swept through the small cabin of my little race car.  It was exciting, and freeing feeling as if I was in full control.  Then I heard a voice resonate within my own mind…”Slow down”.  Hmmm.  I realized quickly that this voice was not my own.  My own would have told me to go faster.  So I entertained this little voice I slowed down…just a little.  I heard it again. “Slow down!” Once again, thinking I was a little crazy at this point I decided to play along, or take this little experiment seriously since I was on no time agenda and ahead of schedule with the way I was driving.  I went from 70-80 mph to traveling a little under 55 mph.  Things seemed rather dull and boring at this rate and yet, Once more I heard that voice, “Staci…slow down.”  Ugh.  Seriously??? I slowed down once again, and to be a little indignant I slowed down to a mere 35mph.  The world was traveling by me in slow motion.  I was a little annoyed and put out by Whatever, or Whoever was speaking to me. How long would I indulge in this?  How long would I entertain this idea?  Just then, as I rounded a very sharp curve, the sun glared through my windshield blinding me and as I came out of it with eyes adjusting, there, in the middle of two lane, narrow road was a herd of elk which covered from one side of the road to the other. No outlet.  No escape. I had to come to a full stop.  Eyes wide open now, my jaw dropped, and there stood at least a dozen elk standing 5- 6ft tall and weighing anywhere from 325 lbs to 1100 lbs.  I sat there amazed.  Not only at the beautiful creatures that towered above me from my tiny little seat, but the realization there was someone looking out for me. And not only that but I heard Him. Even more impressive as I sat there giggling was…I responded to Him. Its then I realized,  if I listen to this voice I know I shall live.  If I do not listen, it could very well cost me my life. 

Since that day I have cultivated a spirit that listens for this still small voice and cultivate eyes to see the wonders around me.  In the quietness of my very soul, listening to the One who guides me.  I would like to believe I cultivate a heart with an open mind to a spirituality I cannot explain yet know is real.  This is called faith.  Believing in what you cannot see but what you know to be real through life experiences through the heart.  Some people call it a higher power.  Some people call it energy.  I happen to call it the power of the Holy Spirit who is my Higher power and I freely allow this Spirits energy to flow through me.

I’m not perfect.  I sometimes make mistakes, and Often.  But there are times when for no other reason that I know that I know, and I know in the One in whom I have believed.  

My challenge to you is to tap into this resource.  Go out on a limb. Be bold, be brave, and even a little crazy.  Give yourself permission, because if you don’t, no one else will.