It does not matter how slow you go as long as you don’t stop. ~ Confucius
Many health issues over the last few years, including high chronic pain, have slowed me down significantly. In my healthy heyday, I was constantly on the go and had a good career! Now, I move very slow and am dependent on others to help stabilize me when we leave the house. I feel like I am being left behind in this fast paced world. However, I do have wonderful people closest to me who have stuck with me, supported and encouraged me in many ways, and have slowed their pace to meet mine. This is gold!
Improvements are slow but I am better than I was two years ago. During those times when things get discouraging, it’s important to remember quotes like this. Slow is not bad. It helps one appreciate the things that whizzed by before.
Even if I am moving s l o w l y, it still means there is progress. Remember the story about the tortoise and the hare? In the end, the tortoise won with slow, steady progress.
What are some profound quotes you have handy when experiencing tough times?
"The part can never be well unless the whole is well." -- Plato
Ichigo Ichie 
Oct 17, 2012 @ 01:49:08
In fact, s l o w is preferable! It gives time to realize/appreciate each move.
…or so I think!
🙂
Oct 28, 2012 @ 14:17:36
So true, Marina! Thank you! 🙂
Oct 17, 2012 @ 02:32:16
Funny fact is, (so far I found in the Net Blog-sphere)
the people who preach Mind or Diet having more trouble
in Health and the Mental Health 🙂
Oct 28, 2012 @ 14:20:30
Interesting. Are there particular examples that stand out to you?
Oct 17, 2012 @ 03:26:05
After my chemotherapy treatment, I too have had to take it slow, much, much slower these last three years. This slowness imposed on me not by choice at first has actually turned into a blessing. I didn’t know I was racing about at top speed before trying to cram as much of life in as possible. And yet, I have learnt that there is also another way of Carpe Diem. The slow, mindful, steady, deliberate way. One which waits. And one which I am sure you have discovered its precious beauty too. I wish you a steady recovery to complete wholesome health Fergiemoto. Sharon
Oct 28, 2012 @ 14:24:09
Thank you for sharing your experiences and thoughts, and for your encouragement. I’ve seen chemotherapy drain so much energy out of people. I wish you an upward steady recovery as well, and a less hectic and crammed schedule.
Oct 17, 2012 @ 05:45:02
All written on my PhotoBlog at http://victoriaaphotography.wordpress.com/favourite-quotes/.
I admit to telling all & sundry that the most important thing to do in chronic pain & fatigue, is to move. It doesn’t matter which direction you move. Just move the best you can and you’ll be surprised how much you accomplish. Stay still and you’ll always finish the day thinking on a negative note.
Oct 28, 2012 @ 14:28:04
Thank you, Victoria, for the link and for sharing your thoughts! Good advice! I know you have many struggles with chronic pain and other health ailments, and it’s wonderful you have photography to help you get out and move. Keep on moving!
Oct 17, 2012 @ 06:23:49
Ahh, Fergie….I like this post…slowness is goodness…my mantra has been to slow down…too much is going too fast these days…progress is progress…it’s not a race…thanks for the reminder…xomeryl
Oct 28, 2012 @ 14:31:17
So true, it’s not a race, yet there can be celebrations all along the way with each success we recognize. Slow sometimes is best! Thank you for sharing your insights, Meryl!
Oct 17, 2012 @ 07:37:39
I don’t have any quotes that I can think of off-hand, but I agree with you. Any progress is good. Maybe, “Slow and steady wins the race.”
Oct 28, 2012 @ 14:32:22
Great quote, TBM! Thanks for sharing. The tortoise won the race against the hare with “slow and steady.”
Oct 17, 2012 @ 10:10:16
Someone once told me that my preference for living life slowly is due to being born in the year of the Ox. Whatever. It’s taken me a long time to accept that I have a right to live life slowly and NOT fit in with those who want me to speed up. Now that I’m OK with myself and content to go slowly I reckon others can either accept me for living this way or just take themselves off at whatever speed they choose. Great post. G
Oct 28, 2012 @ 14:40:21
How wonderful to recognize that slow is the pace for you and be able to live it regardless of how fast others around you go. You have probably noticed details and beauty around you that others miss out on, and experienced how much it adds to your well being. Thank you very much for sharing your experiences and thoughts!
Oct 17, 2012 @ 12:22:23
Wonderful post dear Fergie ~ I too try to just take it one tiny step at a time. I agree with Victoria — movement is life-giving … even if for me, it’s laying on my table and making tiny tilts of the pelvis or stretching one small muscle at a time. Breathwork is also movement. It’s all good – and we must always know not to be self-critical because we can’t participate the way others may want or expect. That is huge for me… Keep moving ~ keep breathing – Sending Love ~ Robyn
Oct 28, 2012 @ 14:44:43
So true, Robyn! It’s all good. Doing your breathing, exercises, including small stretches all add up. I do the same. “Focus on the small steps and the big things will work themselves out.” Here’s hoping for many more steps forward for you!
Oct 17, 2012 @ 12:48:42
bows (*_*) humble””. Awesome!
Oct 28, 2012 @ 14:45:26
Thank you so much, Art!!
Oct 17, 2012 @ 13:16:55
‘When the going gets tough, the tough gets going’ or something like it. It’s true, the important thing is not to stop. Thanks for posting this, sometimes I think I am being slow in what I do or have to finish, but I guess what’s really important is not to quit.
Oct 28, 2012 @ 14:50:26
Good quote, Marielba! Sometimes we find that slower is really better for us. Not everyone progresses at the same pace, because each situation is different. It is what it is. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here!
Oct 28, 2012 @ 19:17:29
🙂
Oct 19, 2012 @ 01:27:33
Wonderful quote and message and something I can apply to how I approach art. I’ve always been more of a tortoise anyway, at least it’s easier for me to relate to them.
Oct 28, 2012 @ 14:51:45
Thank you very much Kim! Tortoises have more time to enjoy and smell the roses along the way, and what a nice thing that is! I’m a tortoise now too, but that’s ok.
Nov 03, 2012 @ 22:52:09
Thank you, Fergie – just what I needed to read tonight. We must never give up!
Nov 20, 2012 @ 22:40:47
I’m glad to know this helped! Thank you, Betty!