John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (KJV)

A music teacher with whom I studied was a strong advocate of "slow practice" when learning to play a new piece. The idea is that one plays a new piece very, very slowly for the first week or so. This helps ensure that one gets all of the notes right, and that one plays at an even pace. Another advantage is that there is time to appreciate how beautifully music is put together. The slow pace also greatly reduces the stress often associated with learning new things.

One of the slogans of 12-step programmes is "Easy Does It." It refers to a process of "graceful effort." Under this principle, you don't submit yourself to scenarios under which you are under constant stress and fear. Rather, you make progress by setting and realizing realistic, achievable goals. Success with less stress!

A book that I used to read to my daughter summed it up nicely: "Slow and steady, steady and slow. That's the only way to go."

Prayer: Dear Lord, give us grace not to rush through life, but to take time to appreciate the beauty and wonder of our everyday world. Grant us the peace promised by your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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About the author:

Richard Frith <richard111@hotmail.com>
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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