SPIRITUAL PRACTICE

Slowing and Noticing

Slowing

Slowing is one way to overcome addictions to inner and outer hurry, busyness, and workaholism. Through slowing, the sacrament of the present moment is tasted to the full. We learn to savor each moment.

In order to practice slowing, we can try being deliberate in using a few of the following strategies:

  • Intentionally drive in the slow lane.

  • Get plenty of sleep. Take a nap when you need one.

  • Speak more slowly.

  • Look people in the eye when you’re in a conversation.

  • Chew slowly and thoroughly.

  • Sit longer at the table, enjoying the food and the company.

  • Plan buffer time between meetings or appointments so you can relax and regroup.

  • Intentionally stop working through your breaks at work and take time to breathe slowly. Yes, actually STOP and eat lunch while being present with God, others, yourself, the food, etc. Enjoy the tastes, texture, and temperature of your food.

Over time, engaging in this practice will help us grow in patience (the ability to wait with grace), receive interruptions graciously, trust in God’s unhurried schedule, and keep company with Jesus as we live at a more relaxed pace.

Noticing

Noticing involves paying attention to our lives and the activity of God in everyday experiences, such as a visit with a friend, helping someone in need, taking a walk in nature, or listening to worship music. Intentionally noticing where and how God shows up is a huge part of growing spiritually. After all, we cannot cooperate with God’s movement if we do not notice how He’s showing up and what He’s doing in us.

As you practice noticing, try to tune into several of the following elements as you experience them. 

Sights

Sounds

Smells

Tastes

Textures

Physical feelings

Attitudes

Thoughts

Feelings

Sensations

Hopes and dreams

Temperature

Relationships

Activities

Spiritual experiences

What is life-giving

What is life-draining

Wind or air movement

Steps to Begin Noticing

  1. Stop at any time of the day to intentionally notice God and His activity, especially if you sense an internal prompting.

  2. Notice what you hear, see, smell, etc. (Use the chart above.)

  3. Ask yourself one or more of these questions (Don’t try to tackle them all in one day.):

    • When have I sensed God’s presence today?

    • When have I felt joy today?

    • When did I feel loved or appreciated today?

    • What sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or textures captured my attention today?

    • Where did I experience the strongest feelings today? Why or how?

    • What relationship was a blessing for me today and why?

    • What was most life-giving today?

  4. Repeat the above practice (#3) later in the week, using a different set of questions.

  5. Journal about what you are thinking, feeling, desiring, and noticing as you reflect on one or more of the questions.

Both of these practices are relatively easy to do. Try to intentionally practice slowing and noticing several times throughout your day or week.

Remember, the practices become effective when repeated over time. 

Reflecting on the Practices

  • Which of the above practices (slowing and noticing) were you most drawn to, and why? If you didn’t enjoy or enter into the practices, what was the reason?

  • Was there a time of the day when you were more able to focus on the practices? Morning? Evening? Weekends?

  • Sometimes we talk in terms of resistance, which is when we turn away from something because we’d rather not do it. Did you sense any resistance as you engaged with the practices of slowing and noticing? Why might that have been?